"Officer Phil's" KUSI Trivia August 2007 Questions and Answers Page

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Here are the questions and the answers to the trivia questions I do each day on "Good Morning San Diego" on KUSI (51/9). The most recent questions are listed at the top of the page. The answers are at the bottom of the page.

To make a guess, just put your cursor over the correct letter. If you have guessed correctly, the letter will become a check mark . If you have guessed incorrectly, you will see a minus sign . On a few questions, the correct answer is "All of the above." In that case you will see .

You can also scroll to the bottom of the page where all of the answers are listed, often with a more detailed explanation. Clicking on an answer will take you directly to the more detailed answers at the bottom of the page.

Enjoy!

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August Date & Question:	Choices
August 31, 2007: What is the significance of the white & yellow lines in this photo?	: Just marks HOV lanes : No changing lanes here : Shoulder of the road : HOV lane ends soon
August 30, 2007: Curb parking on a hill Question: How steep does a hill have to be before you are legally required to park with a front tire against the curb?	: 1% grade : 3% grade : 5% grade : 7% grade
August 29, 2007: When you parallel park your car, how far can you legally be from the curb?	: 6 inches : 12 inches : 18 inches : 24 inches
August 28, 2007: How far away do you have to start your turn signal for a lane change?	: None required if no traffic : 50 feet : 100 feet : 300 feet
August 27, 2007: Can you ever drive over fire hoses which are stretched across a road?	: Never : Only if ramps over the hoses are there : OK if under 5mph : Only if vehicle is under 5,000 lbs
August 24, 2007: It is the busiest bridge west of the Mississippi, and it is going to be closed on Labor Day for repairs. Which bridge is it?	: Coronado Bay Bridge : Golden Gate Bridge : Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge : Seattle-Tacoma Narrows Bridge
August 23, 2007: Is changing lanes in an intersection legal?	: Always : Legal, if sign allows it : Legal, if it is safe to do so : Never legal
August 22, 2007: Which of the following things are you NOT legally required to share with other drivers if you are in a collision?	: Driver's license info : Insurance info : Vehicle registration info : Personal contact info
August 21, 2007: Which type of vehicle has seen the biggest percentage increase in sales comparing the first half of 2006 to the first half of 2007?	: Small Cars : Midsized Cars : Large Cars : SUVs
August 20, 2007: Can you be arrested for driving under the influence of prescription medication?	: Yes : No
August 17, 2007: It is illegal to spill anything on the road, except for clear water and ...?	: feathers from a live bird : leaves from a live tree : animal droppings from live animals : toys from children
August 16, 2007: How long to you have to repair damage to your windshield if it affects your view?	: 2 days : 5 days : 10 days : 30 days
August 15, 2007: When is a windshield required on an average car?	: Never required : Only required during night time hours : Only required during rain : Always required
August 14, 2007: When is it legal to tow a vehicle on the freeway using only a rope?	: Always, if done safely : Only to get to the next exit : Only if rope is rated at 2,000 pounds : It is never legal
August 13, 2007: Is it legal to hang objects such as dice or miniature soccer balls from your rearview mirror?	: Always legal : Always illegal : OK, if it doesn't obstruct the driver's view : OK, if it is under 8" wide
August 10, 2007: Which lanes can a big-rig use on a four lane freeway?	: Only the right lane : Two right lanes : Three right lanes : All four lanes
August 9, 2007: Is it legal to ride on a bicycle while somewhere other than the seat?	: Anywhere is OK if driver can see : You must sit on or straddle a seat
August 8, 2007: What are the restrictions on how high motorcycle handlebars can be?	: No restrictions : Cannot be over 6" below shoulders : Cannot be above shoulder heighth : Cannot be over 6" above shoulders
August 7, 2007: Recent e-mails have warned about a gang initiation which involves shooting people who flash their hi-beam lights. Is this a real warning, or an urban myth?	: Real warning : Urban myth
August 6, 2007: You should not enter an intersection unless you can get all the way across. Is this a law, good advice or bogus?	: Law : Good advice : Bogus advice
August 3, 2007: What is the official name of the Interstate Freeway System?	: Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways : Blue Star Memorial Interstate Freeway System : Interstate Freeway System : Intrastate Freeway System
August 2, 2007: The Coronado Bridge is 11,288 feet long, overall. How much of this is over the channel?	: 380 feet : 880 feet : 1,380 feet : 1,880 feet
August 1, 2007: Forbes just published a story about America's "most unhealthy commutes." Where in San Diego was their 8th worst location nationwide?	: I-5: Carlsbad : I-15: Escondido : SR-78: San Marcos : I-905: Otay Mesa

Answers:

8/31/07: What is the significance of the white & yellow lines in this photo? --

B. The double yellow lines means you cannot enter or exit the HOV lanes here.

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8/30/07: Curb parking on a hill Question: How steep does a hill have to be before you are legally required to park with a front tire against the curb? --

B: You must "curb your tire" on a hill with a grade of 3%, or more.

California Vehicle Code section #22509. Local authorities within the reasonable exercise of their police powers may adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution providing that no person driving, or in control of, or in charge of, a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand on any highway unattended when upon any grade exceeding 3 percent within any business or residence district without blocking the wheels of the vehicle by turning them against the curb or by other means.

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8/29/07: When you parallel park your car, how far can you legally be from the curb? --

C: The maximum distance you can legally parallel park from a curb is 18 inches.

California Vehicle Code section #22502. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter every vehicle stopped or parked upon a roadway where there are adjacent curbs shall be stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels of such vehicle parallel with and within 18 inches of the right-hand curb, except that motorcycles shall be parked with at least one wheel or fender touching the right-hand curb. Where no curbs or barriers bound any two-way roadway, right-hand parallel parking is required unless otherwise indicated.

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8/28/07: How far away do you have to start your turn signal for a lane change? --

C: You are required to signal at least 100 feet before a lane change.

California Vehicle Code section #22107. No person shall turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after the giving of an appropriate signal in the manner provided in this chapter in the event any other vehicle may be affected by the movement.

22108. Any signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given continuously during the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.

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8/27/07: Can you ever drive over fire hoses which are stretched across a road? --

B: You can only drive over a fire hose if "suitable jumpers or other appliances are installed to protect the hose.".

California Vehicle Code section #21708. No person shall drive or propel any vehicle or conveyance upon, over, or across, or in any manner damage any fire hose or chemical hose used by or under the supervision and control of any organized fire department. However, any vehicle may cross a hose provided suitable jumpers or other appliances are installed to protect the hose.

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8/24/07: It is the busiest bridge west of the Mississippi, and it is going to be closed on Labor Day for repairs. Which bridge is it? --

C: The Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge will be closed over the Labor Day weekend for earthquake retrofitting. Expect LONG delays in the area.

Click here to read the story.

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8/23/07: Is changing lanes in an intersection legal? --

C: It is legal to change lanes while in an intersection as long as it is safe to do so.

California Vehicle Code section #22107. No person shall turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after the giving of an appropriate signal in the manner provided in this chapter in the event any other vehicle may be affected by the movement.

21658. Whenever any roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic in one direction, the following rules apply:
(a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.
(b) Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving traffic to use a designated lane or allocating specified lanes to traffic moving in the same direction, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of the traffic device.

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8/22/07: Which of the following things are you NOT legally required to share with other drivers if you are in a collision? --

D: If you are involved in a collision, you are not legally required to give out your phone number.

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8/21/07: Which type of vehicle has seen the biggest percentage increase in sales comparing the first half of 2006 to the first half of 2007? --

D: According to Autodata, SUVs saw the largest increase in sales.

2006 vs. 2007 for vehicle sales from January through July:
All cars:            -3.6%
All trucks:        -2.7%
Small cars:       +0.2%
Midsized cars:  -4.3%
Large cars:       -14.7%
SUVs:              +4.2%

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8/20/07: Can you be arrested for driving under the influence of prescription medication? --

A: Yes, if your medication affects your ability to drive.

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8/17/07: It is illegal to spill anything on the road, except for clear water and ...? --

A: The law allows clear water and/or feathers from live birds to escape from a vehicle.

California Vehicle Code section #23114. (a) A vehicle may not be driven or moved on any highway unless the vehicle is so constructed, covered, or loaded as to prevent any of its contents or load other than clear water or feathers from live birds from dropping, sifting, leaking, blowing, spilling, or otherwise escaping from the vehicle.

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8/16/07: How long to you have to repair damage to your windshield if it affects your view? --

A: An officer can require you to fix your windshield within 48 hours.

California Vehicle Code section #26710. It is unlawful to operate any motor vehicle upon a highway when the windshield or rear window is in such a defective condition as to impair the driver's vision either to the front or rear. In the event any windshield or rear window fails to comply with this code the officer making the inspection shall direct the driver to make the windshield and rear window conform to the requirements of this code within 48 hours. The officer may also arrest the driver and give him notice to appear and further require the driver or the owner of the vehicle to produce in court satisfactory evidence that the windshield or rear window has been made to conform to the requirements of this code.

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8/15/07: When is a windshield required on an average car? --

D: Passenger vehicles (and trucks) are always required to have an adaquate windshield.

California Vehicle Code section #26700. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a passenger vehicle, other than a motorcycle, and every bus, motortruck or truck tractor, and every firetruck, fire engine or other fire apparatus, whether publicly or privately owned, shall be equipped with an adequate windshield.
(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to any vehicle issued identification plates pursuant to Section 5004 which was not required to be equipped with a windshield at the time it was first sold or registered under the laws of this state, another state, or foreign jurisdiction.

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8/14/07: When is it legal to tow a vehicle on the freeway using only a rope? --

B: A 'non-rigid" device can only be used to move a disabled vehicle to the "nearest and most accessible exit from the freeway".

California Vehicle Code section #29006. (a) No person shall operate a vehicle towing another motor vehicle upon a freeway unless the towing vehicle is coupled to the towed vehicle by a rigid structure attached securely to both vehicles by nonrigid means.
(b) The requirements of subdivision (a) are not applicable to a vehicle towing a motor vehicle which has been disabled and is being towed from the point of disablement to the nearest and most accessible exit from the freeway.

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8/13/07: Is it legal to hang objects such as dice or miniature soccer balls from your rearview mirror? --

C: No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object which obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view through the windshield.

California Vehicle Code section #26708. (a) (1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows.
(2) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon the vehicle which obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view through the windshield or side windows.

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8/10/07: Which lanes can a big-rig use on a four lane freeway? --

B: Big-rigs can normally only use the two right hand lanes on a four lane freeway.

California Vehicle Code section #22348. (c) A vehicle subject to Section 22406 shall be driven in a lane designated pursuant to Section 21655, or if a lane has not been so designated, in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb. When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, the driver shall use either the designated lane, the lane to the immediate left of the right-hand lane, or the right-hand lane for traffic as permitted under this code. If, however, specific lane or lanes have not been designated on a divided highway having four or more clearly marked lanes for traffic in one direction, a vehicle may also be driven in the lane to the immediate left of the right-hand lane, unless otherwise prohibited under this code. This subdivision does not apply to a driver who is preparing for a left- or right-hand turn or who is in the process of entering into or exiting from a highway or to a driver who is required necessarily to drive in a lane other than the right-hand lane to continue on his or her intended route.

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8/9/07: Is it legal to ride on a bicycle while somewhere other than the seat? --

B: No person on a highway shall ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular attached seat.

California Vehicle Code section #21204. (a) No person operating a bicycle upon a highway shall ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.
(b) No operator shall allow a person riding as a passenger, and no person shall ride as a passenger, on a bicycle upon a highway other than upon or astride a separate seat attached thereto. If the passenger is four years of age or younger, or weighs 40 pounds or less, the seat shall have adequate provision for retaining the passenger in place and for protecting the passenger from the moving parts of the bicycle.

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8/8/07: What are the restrictions on how high motorcycle handlebars can be? --

D: Handlebars cannot be positioned that the hands of the driver, when upon the grips, are more than six inches above his or her shoulder.

California Vehicle Code section #27801. A person shall not drive a two-wheel motorcycle that is equipped with either of the following:
(a) A seat so positioned that the driver, when sitting astride the seat, cannot reach the ground with his or her feet.
(b) Handlebars so positioned that the hands of the driver, when upon the grips, are more than six inches above his or her shoulder height when sitting astride the seat.

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8/7/07: Recent e-mails have warned about a gang initiation which involves shooting people who flash their hi-beam lights. Is this a real warning, or an urban myth? --

B. This urban legend has been around since the 1980s. It alleges gang members are initiated by shooting anyone who flashes their hi-beams back at them.

Click here to read an article about this hoax.

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8/6/07: You should not enter an intersection unless you can get all the way across. Is this a law, good advice or bogus? --

A: The law requires that you not enter an intersection unless you can get all the way across it.

California Vehicle Code Section: 22526. (a) Notwithstanding any official traffic control signal indication to proceed, a driver of a vehicle shall not enter an intersection or marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or marked crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle driven without obstructing the through passage of vehicles from either side.
(b) A driver of a vehicle which is making a turn at an intersection who is facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal shall not enter the intersection or marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or marked crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle driven without obstructing the through passage of vehicles from either side.

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8/3/07: What is the official name of the Interstate Freeway System? --

A: Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways.

Name of the System

Beginning in the 1956 Act, the System was called The National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. In honor of President Eisenhower, who helped accelerate the Interstate Construction Program, Public Law 101-427 was passed which changed the name of the System to "The Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways." This occurred on October 15, 1990, during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of President Eisenhower's birth. The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 modified the name to "The Dwight D. EiEisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways" and this definition is codified in Sections 101(a)(13) and 103(c)(1)(A), 23 U.S.C.

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8/2/07: The Coronado Bridge is 11,288 feet long, overall. How much of this is over the channel? --

D: According to Caltrans, the part of the Coronado Bridge which is over the channel is 1,880 feet long.

Click here to see lots of facts about the Coronado Bridge.

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8/1/07: Forbes just published a story about America's "most unhealthy commutes." Where in San Diego was their 8th worst location nationwide? --

A: Based on the polluted air you're breathing, lengthy traffic delays and dodging accidents to and from work, Forbes says the I-5 in Carlsbad is America's 8th most unhealthy commute.

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