Yahoo Lifestyle Answers: Test Your Driving Knowledge
1. Is it illegal to apply make-up while you’re driving?
C. Coating your lashes on the way to work isn’t against the law, but it is dangerous.
2. Are children allowed to sit in the front seat if it has an airbag?
C. In New South Wales, it’s illegal for a child under 16 to ride in front with an airbag, but the law varies
from state to state. If your babe is under the age of 12 or weighs less than 25 kg, an activated airbag can cause major harm, so the child should travel in the back seat when possible.
3. Where do most fatal crashes take place?
C. On highways, there’s less perceived danger, so we take less care. But the most common places for minor accidents are familiar areas close to home.
4. What should you do if a big four-wheel drive is blocking your view?
B. The rule of thumb: try to leave enough room so you can see around the car in front of you. If you’re travelling at 140 km/h, it can take as much as 300 m to stop.
5. Is it legal to exceed the speed limit when overtaking?
B. That’s right, you can’t nudge the speed limit by even 1 km/h. Fact: you need to travel about 30 km/h faster than the car in front of you to overtake it.
6. What should you do with your mobile while driving?
B. Using a hands-free device is legal but distracting. And putting your handset on speaker and yelling into your palm just ain’t on in the eyes of the law.
7. Which of the following footwear is illegal to wear while driving?
A. Thongs can slide off during an accident and get stuck under the brake. The same law applies to any backless high heels or mules; these can also slip off.
8. Can you add dishwashing liquid to your windscreen-wiper water?
B. Dishwashing liquid rusts your car’s precious paintwork when stray droplets fly onto the roof. Go for plain old tap water or use special wiper fluid.
9. When you check the oil, should your car be warm or cold?
A. Check the oil when your car’s hot and bothered (that is, it’s been running or idling for at least five minutes). A warm engine gives you a more accurate reading.
10. What about when you check the tyre pressure?
B. Hot tyres expand with air, so suss out your wheels when they’re cold.
11. How would you define the term ‘tyre placard’?
C. A placard tells you the right PSI (pounds per square inch) for your tyres. In most modern cars—from 1987 onwards—you’ll find the placard inside the driver’s-side door, in the glove box or in the boot.
12. Approximately how many kilojoules do you burn washing your car by hand?
B. Yep, washing your car works off your morning tea! It can also give you arms like Libby Trickett if you do it often enough. Your shoulders will ache, but your guns will look all the better for it.
