Hairpin bend on a mountain road with fallen rocks
Look at the picture, read the situation, and mark each of the three statements true (○) or false (✕). All three right scores 2 points.
You are driving through a hairpin curve (a sharp curve to the right) on a mountain road, and you can see small fallen rocks on the road surface. The mountainside is on your right and a valley is on your left. There is a 'Falling rocks' warning sign. Answer true or false for each of the following.
- (1)The rocks are small, so you just drive over them.
- (2)You slow down and steer around the rocks, and keep your speed down throughout the falling-rocks area.
- (3)You sound the horn to prevent more rocks from falling.
Show the answers and explanation
- (1) ✕ FalseThe rocks are small, so you just drive over them.
- (2) ○ TrueYou slow down and steer around the rocks, and keep your speed down throughout the falling-rocks area.
- (3) ✕ FalseYou sound the horn to prevent more rocks from falling.
Explanation
Fallen rocks can cause a puncture or damage your vehicle, so steer around them. In a falling-rocks area more rocks may come down, so hold your speed down. Before a curve, slow down sufficiently on the straight section leading up to it (Rules of the Road (kyōsoku), Ch. 6, Sec. 2, 2(1)). The horn does nothing to prevent falling rocks.
Source: Rules of the Road (kyōsoku), Ch. 6, Sec. 2, 2(1) (slowing down before a curve)
