Colorado CDL Practice Test

What can cause a vehicle fire after an accident?

1. Loose tire pressure

2. Spilled fuel

3. Cold weather

4. Overloaded cargo

The correct answer is: Spilled fuel

A vehicle fire after an accident is most commonly caused by spilled fuel. When an accident occurs, fuel lines can be damaged, leading to fuel leaking onto hot engine parts or exhaust systems. This creates a highly flammable situation, as gasoline and diesel fuels ignite easily when they come into contact with a spark or high temperature. While other factors, like cold weather or loose tire pressure, can affect a vehicle's performance or handling, they are not direct causes of fires stemming from an accident. Overloaded cargo can increase the risk of a vehicle accident but does not inherently lead to a fire. Therefore, spilled fuel remains the primary and most immediate cause of vehicle fires in the aftermath of a collision.