Rhode Island: Distractions, drowsiness and emotions — Part 4 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “When driving a long trip with a companion driver, what should at least one passenger do?” · “If you must stop along the roadway to rest, where does the manual say to stop?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Rhode Island Driver’s Manual" (April 2024), Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
All 19 questions in this practice test
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When driving a long trip with a companion driver, what should at least one passenger do?
- Stay awake to talk to the driver
- Sleep so they are rested to drive later
- Keep the radio loud
- Watch the road ahead in silence
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Correct answer: Stay awake to talk to the driver
The manual says at least one passenger should stay awake and talk to the driver.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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What kind of medications does the manual say to avoid before driving to help prevent drowsiness?
- Only prescribed medications, whatever their effects
- Only over-the-counter medications of any kind
- Those that cause drowsiness or otherwise impair performance
- Only medications that contain caffeine
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Correct answer: Those that cause drowsiness or otherwise impair performance
The manual says to avoid both over-the-counter and prescribed medications that cause drowsiness or impair performance.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 21
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What kind of foods does the manual say to avoid to help maintain alertness while driving?
- Cold foods
- Heavy foods
- Fresh fruit
- Spicy foods
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Correct answer: Heavy foods
Avoiding heavy foods is one of the alertness tips on the road.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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A good rule of thumb for periodic breaks on long trips is to stop how often?
- Every 50 miles or every hour
- Every 200 miles or every three hours
- Every 300 miles or every four hours
- Every 100 miles or every two hours
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Correct answer: Every 100 miles or every two hours
The manual's rule of thumb is a break every 100 miles or every two hours.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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On long trips, you should stop for at least how long every two hours or every 100 miles?
- 10 minutes
- 2 minutes
- 1 hour
- 90 minutes
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Correct answer: 10 minutes
The manual says to stop for at least 10 minutes every two hours or every 100 miles.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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What does the manual advise about how far to drive on a long trip?
- Never drive more than 300 miles in one day
- Keep going until you feel tired, then stop at the next available exit
- Determine a reasonable distance in advance and stop driving when you reach it
- Drive as far as possible before the first break
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Correct answer: Determine a reasonable distance in advance and stop driving when you reach it
There is no fixed rule, so the manual says to choose a reasonable distance beforehand and stop when you get there.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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According to the manual, what is the only recovery strategy to counter drowsiness?
- Caffeine
- Resting
- Loud music
- Fresh air
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Correct answer: Resting
The manual says resting is by far the most effective way, and the only recovery strategy, to counter drowsiness.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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Which of these will NOT help prevent drowsiness longer than just a few minutes?
- Getting adequate sleep before driving
- Stopping to rest
- Planning to drive with a companion driver
- Opening the windows or sunroof
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Correct answer: Opening the windows or sunroof
The manual lists opening the windows or sunroof among actions that help only for a few minutes.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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What does the manual say about sleeping in a vehicle at the side of the road?
- It is not safe
- It is safe if the engine is running
- It is safe during daylight hours
- It is safe for up to two hours
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Correct answer: It is not safe
The manual states that it is not safe to sleep in a vehicle at the side of the road.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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If you must stop along the roadway to rest, where does the manual say to stop?
- On a dark, quiet part of the shoulder
- In the lane closest to the shoulder
- At a roadside area where security is present
- Just past a sharp curve
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Correct answer: At a roadside area where security is present
The manual says to use a roadside area with security, or else get as far off the highway as possible.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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If you must stop to rest after dark, where does the manual say to stop?
- On an unlit country road
- In a populated, lighted area
- Beside an empty field
- Under a bridge
Show answer
Correct answer: In a populated, lighted area
After dark the manual says to find a populated, lighted area.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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When you stop along the roadway to rest, what does the manual say to do about the windows?
- Open them fully so that you can hear any approaching traffic and see around you
- Keep them completely open for fresh air
- Roll them down only when a stranger approaches
- Give yourself a little outside air but keep them closed enough to prevent entry from outside
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Correct answer: Give yourself a little outside air but keep them closed enough to prevent entry from outside
A little air is fine, but the windows must stay closed enough that nobody can enter from outside.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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When you stop along the roadway to rest, what should you do with the doors and the engine?
- Lock all doors and turn off your engine
- Leave the engine running and the doors unlocked
- Lock the doors but keep the engine running
- Leave the doors unlocked so help can reach you
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Correct answer: Lock all doors and turn off your engine
The manual says to lock all doors and turn the engine off while resting.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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When you stop along the roadway to rest, what should you do with your lights and other electrical equipment?
- Turn on the high beams and turn off the parking lights
- Leave all lights and the radio on so you are seen
- Turn on parking lights and turn off other electrical equipment
- Turn off every light so no one notices you
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Correct answer: Turn on parking lights and turn off other electrical equipment
The manual says to turn on parking lights and turn off other electrical equipment.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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After you rest, what does the manual say to do if safe, to be sure you are completely awake before driving again?
- Drink a caffeinated beverage and drive on
- Get out of the vehicle and walk a few minutes
- Turn up the air conditioning for a few minutes
- Play loud music for the first few miles
Show answer
Correct answer: Get out of the vehicle and walk a few minutes
If it is safe, getting out and walking a few minutes helps make sure you are fully awake.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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Sleeping for more than 20 minutes can make you groggy for at least how long after awakening?
- One minute
- Thirty minutes
- Two hours
- Five minutes
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Correct answer: Five minutes
The manual says sleeping over 20 minutes can leave you groggy for at least five minutes after waking.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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According to the manual, what do studies show is the most critical factor in driver performance, regardless of training?
- An individual’s self-awareness and ability to interact with other people
- The number of years of driving experience behind the wheel
- The type of vehicle the driver owns
- The amount of formal driver training the person has received
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Correct answer: An individual’s self-awareness and ability to interact with other people
Studies cited in the manual put self-awareness and the ability to interact with others ahead of training.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 22
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What may an upset or emotionally charged driver do at a traffic light or stop sign?
- Stop well before it and wait too long
- Slow to a crawl as it approaches
- Look directly at it and drive through it
- Stop and rest until the feeling passes
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Correct answer: Look directly at it and drive through it
Strong emotions can lead a driver to look right at a light or sign and still drive through it.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 23
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Which emotions may affect driving safety to an even greater degree than positive emotions such as feeling overly happy and excited?
- Calm and relaxation
- Anger and frustration
- Curiosity and surprise
- Pride and satisfaction
Show answer
Correct answer: Anger and frustration
The manual says negative emotions such as anger and frustration may affect driving safety even more than positive ones.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 23