Practice Exam: CDI - Traffic Investigation (Set 44)
30-question practice exam on traffic accident investigation, hit-and-run, and vehicular evidence.
1. Which type of traffic collision is most likely to result in fatal injuries due to the high forces involved?
A.Sideswipe collision
B.Head-on collision
C.Rear-end collision
D.Angle collision
2. In collision analysis, what is the term for the place and time where a traffic unit or object on a trafficway ceases to be in motion?
A.Point of impact
B.Encroachment
C.Final position
D.Point of no escape
3. A collision where one vehicle strikes the side of another is best described as what type of accident?
A.Rear-end collision
B.Head-on collision
C.Angle collision
D.Sideswipe collision
4. What is the initial event in a traffic accident sequence?
A.Point of impact
B.Point of possible perception
C.Point of no escape
D.Encroachment
5. A "sideswipe" accident is characterized by:
A.Two vehicles colliding front-to-front.
B.One vehicle striking the back of another.
C.Two vehicles traveling in the same or opposite directions making contact along their parallel sides.
D.A vehicle overturning.
6. What is the first and most critical step a traffic investigator must take upon arriving at an accident scene?
A.Interviewing witnesses
B.Taking photographs
C.Securing the scene and rendering aid to the injured
D.Measuring skid marks
7. Which of the following is NOT one of the three main components of traffic accident investigation?
A.Recording the facts
B.Drawing conclusions about how the accident happened
C.Issuing traffic citations immediately
D.Taking enforcement action
8. What is the primary purpose of creating a detailed sketch of an accident scene?
A.To determine the insurance liability
B.To supplement photographs and provide a permanent, accurate record of the scene and evidence locations.
C.To estimate the total cost of damages.
D.To quickly clear the roadway.
9. When documenting a traffic accident, what does the term "encroachment" refer to?
A.A vehicle leaving the roadway.
B.A traffic unit entering or intruding into the rightful path of another.
C.A pedestrian jaywalking.
D.The final resting place of a vehicle.
10. The systematic examination of all facts relating to conditions, actions, and physical features associated with a motor vehicle collision is called:
A.Traffic enforcement
B.Traffic accident reconstruction
C.Collision analysis
D.Vehicular forensics
11. What do long, straight, and dark skid marks from all four tires typically indicate?
A.The vehicle was accelerating rapidly.
B.A driver applied the brakes hard, causing the wheels to lock and slide.
C.The vehicle has a faulty braking system.
D.The driver swerved suddenly.
12. "Scuff marks" or "yaw marks" are curved and have striations. What do they indicate?
A.The point of impact.
B.A vehicle hydroplaning.
C.A vehicle that was turning or spinning while also moving forward.
D.A flat tire.
13. How is the "drag factor" of a road surface primarily used in an investigation?
A.To determine the age of the road.
B.To help calculate the vehicle's minimum speed based on skid mark length.
C.To identify the type of tire used.
D.To assess the weather conditions at the time of the accident.
14. If a vehicle leaves skid marks of 40 meters on a road with a drag factor of 0.7, what is a common formula used to estimate its initial speed?
A.Speed = 254 x drag factor x distance
B.Speed = sqrt(2 * g * distance * drag factor) where g is ~9.8 m/s²
C.Speed = distance / drag factor
D.Speed = drag factor / distance
15. The absence of skid marks at a collision scene involving a conscious driver might suggest:
A.The brakes failed completely.
B.The driver perceived the threat too late and did not have time to react (perception-reaction time delay).
C.The vehicle had an advanced anti-lock braking system (ABS).
D.The driver was intoxicated.
16. What is the primary legal element that defines a "hit-and-run" accident?
A.The accident resulted in a fatality.
B.The driver involved fails to stop, render aid, and provide required information.
C.The driver was under the influence of alcohol.
D.The accident was intentional.
17. In a hit-and-run investigation, what type of evidence is most likely to link a suspect vehicle to the scene?
A.Witness descriptions of the driver.
B.Paint transfers, broken vehicle parts, and tire impressions.
C.The victim's injuries.
D.The time of day the accident occurred.
18. An investigator finds a small fragment of a headlight at a hit-and-run scene. What is the most effective way to use this evidence?
A.Use it to determine the color of the vehicle.
B.Match it to the victim's injuries.
C.Identify the make, model, and year range of the vehicle it belongs to using manufacturer part numbers or databases.
D.Present it directly to the prosecutor.
19. What is a "sympathetic witness" in the context of a hit-and-run investigation?
A.A witness who feels sorry for the victim.
B.An individual, such as a mechanic or body shop owner, who may unknowingly repair the suspect vehicle.
C.A passenger in the suspect vehicle.
D.A family member of the suspect.
20. If a hit-and-run suspect is apprehended, what is a key piece of evidence to look for on their vehicle?
A.A recently expired registration.
B.Damage consistent with the accident scene evidence, and possibly victim's tissue, blood, or fabric.
C.A full tank of gas.
D.An alibi from the driver.
21. What is the correct procedure for collecting glass fragments from a vehicle at a crime scene?
A.Using bare hands to preserve fingerprints.
B.Collecting them with clean tweezers and placing them in a paper bindle or sealed container.
C.Sweeping them into a single pile.
D.Storing them in a plastic bag to prevent moisture.
22. When tire impressions are found at an accident scene, what is the best method for preservation?
A.Drawing a sketch of the impression.
B.Taking a close-up photograph.
C.Photographing the impression with a scale and then making a plaster cast.
D.Measuring the length and width of the impression.
23. Paint transfer from one vehicle to another is an example of:
A.Impression evidence
B.Biological evidence
C.Trace evidence
D.Testimonial evidence
24. A vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is crucial for:
A.Determining the vehicle's top speed.
B.Positively identifying the vehicle and tracking its ownership and history.
C.Calculating its fuel efficiency.
D.Identifying the driver at the time of the accident.
25. If an investigator needs to collect a sample of a vehicle's paint for comparison, what is the proper technique?
A.Chipping off a large piece from the damaged area.
B.Collecting a sample from the damaged area and a control sample from an undamaged part of the same vehicle.
C.Using tape to lift a sample.
D.Scraping the paint into a plastic bag.
26. Under Republic Act 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code), what is the prescribed maximum speed for a motor truck on an open country road with no hazards?
A.80 km/h
B.50 km/h
C.60 km/h
D.40 km/h
27. A driver involved in an accident is required by Philippine law to report it to the nearest police station within:
A.12 hours
B.24 hours
C.48 hours
D.72 hours
28. What does a single solid yellow line on the right of a broken yellow center line mean?
A.Overtaking is permitted from both directions.
B.Overtaking is strictly forbidden.
C.Overtaking is permitted from the side of the broken line, but not from the side of the solid line.
D.The road is narrowing ahead.
29. Under Philippine law, what is the presumed statutory minimum age for obtaining a professional driver's license?
A.16 years old
B.17 years old
C.18 years old
D.21 years old
30. Which of the following is NOT a mandatory accessory for a motor vehicle according to R.A. 4136?
A.Headlights
B.Brakes
C.Horn
D.Air conditioning