Georgia Permit Practice Test: Hazard Situations

Identifying Potential Hazards on Georgia Roads

Hazards usually show up in patterns. Learn the patterns. In Georgia, you’ll see them in construction zones, at merges, and on blind curves, whether you’re on I-285 in Sandy Springs, I-20 near Augusta, or a two-lane road outside Athens.

Construction zones are a favorite topic on the practice written driving test Georgia students take. Lanes shift. Shoulders disappear. Workers and equipment can be inches from traffic. Slow down early, and leave extra space. If you wait until the last second, you’ll brake hard and get tailgated. Bad combo.

Merging lanes create another common hazard, especially around Atlanta, Roswell, and Johns Creek where traffic can be fast and impatient. Your job is to match speed and find a gap without drifting. Check mirrors, then blind spots, then commit. Hesitation causes crashes.

Blind curves matter more than people think, especially on rural roads around Macon or outside Columbus where deer and farm equipment can appear with no warning. If you can’t see around it, you can’t assume it’s clear. Reduce speed before the curve, not during it.

Watch for Georgia-specific “gotchas” too. The Slowpoke law means you should move right if a faster vehicle is overtaking you, even if you’re at the speed limit. That can show up as a hazard question because blocking the left lane can trigger aggressive passing. Not worth it.

A quick mental checklist helps: road, traffic, and sightline. Then decide.

• Work zone signs and cones mean expect sudden lane shifts and stopped traffic.
• Merge arrows and short on-ramps mean someone will run out of lane.
• Limited visibility curves mean you should be able to stop within what you can see.
  This one trips people up.

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Safe Reactions to Emergency Situations

When something goes wrong, the test is looking for control, not drama. Controlled braking and steering away from danger are the core ideas. Simple.

Controlled braking means you press the brake firmly and smoothly, keeping the vehicle stable and straight. If you slam and lock up, you lose steering. If you pump randomly, you waste distance. On wet Georgia roads after a summer downpour, traction drops fast, especially on I-75 and I-16. Slow earlier than you think. Headlights on, too, because Georgia requires headlights any time wipers are on or visibility is reduced. Remember that.

Steering away from danger means you look where you want to go, not at what you want to miss. If a car stops suddenly ahead, your best move might be braking in your lane. Or it might be a controlled lane change if the lane beside you is open. The key is checking first. Mirrors. Blind spot. Then move.

Emergency vehicles are a major hazard topic in Georgia. If you see flashing lights on the shoulder in Atlanta, South Fulton, or on I-95 near Savannah, the Move Over law applies. Move over a lane when safe. If you can’t, slow significantly and give space. The safest answer is usually the one that creates a buffer.

Also know what to do after a minor crash. Georgia’s “Steer It, Clear It” expectation means if there are no serious injuries and vehicles are drivable, you should move them out of travel lanes. That reduces secondary crashes. It’s practical.

One more Georgia reality: hands-free. If you’re reaching for a phone during an emergency, you’re already losing. Under the Hands-Free law, you may not hold or support a phone while driving, and violations add points. Keep both hands available.

• Brake smoothly and keep steering control.
• Create space from the hazard, not just from the car in front.
• Move over or slow down for flashing lights on the roadside.
  This one trips people up.

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Common Hazard-Based Test Questions

Most hazard questions are really logic questions. They ask what you should do first, or what is safest, not what is fastest. Read the last line twice. Do it.

Expect multiple-choice scenarios like these: approaching an intersection with limited visibility, driving in rain at night, seeing a pedestrian step off the curb, or coming up on stopped traffic after a hill. In Savannah, that pedestrian could be anywhere. In Atlanta, that stopped traffic might be around the next bend on GA 400. The test wants you to anticipate, slow, and cover the brake.

Look for wording traps. “What should you do?” versus “What must you do?” matters. So does “best” versus “legal.” For example, you might be legally allowed to turn right on red after a complete stop unless posted otherwise, but the safest choice in a crowded crosswalk might be to wait. The safe answer often wins.

Speed questions can hide a hazard angle too. Georgia’s Super Speeder law adds an extra $200 state surcharge at 75+ mph on two-lane roads or 85+ mph on any road. That’s on top of local fines, and nonpayment can suspend your license. On the test, speed isn’t just a number, it’s risk.

School zones are another frequent hazard scenario, including camera enforcement. Limits can drop sharply near schools in places like Columbus or Augusta. If you miss the sign, you miss the question.

Use this approach on every Georgia Permit Practice Test question: identify the hazard, pick the action that increases space and time, and avoid anything that sounds aggressive. If two answers seem right, choose the one that reduces speed earlier and increases following distance. That’s usually it.