AAA Driver's Ed Permit Practice Test

Staying in control means quickly recognizing anything that affects your ability to stop or steer the vehicle and reacting immediately. Losing the ability to brake is the most urgent issue because stopping is the fundamental safety function on the road. If brakes fail, you must act to slow and stop using whatever safe options you have, such as engine braking by downshifting, then gradually applying the parking brake only if it’s safe to do so, and steering toward a safe pull-off while signaling for help. After stopping, get the vehicle to a mechanic right away. Ice on the windshield is dangerous and demands prompt attention, but it’s a condition you’re managing rather than a direct failure of the braking or steering systems. Slow down, increase following distance, and pull over safely if you need to clear the ice or defog the glass. Speeding raises crash risk and should be corrected by reducing speed to the road and weather conditions. Driving while intoxicated is illegal and severely impairs your ability to operate the vehicle, so the action is to not drive and seek assistance or a safer alternative.