During the serpentine exercise, what would result in a penalty?

In the context of the serpentine exercise, the primary focus is on precision and control while navigating through a series of markers. Hitting or brushing one of the markers is deemed a penalty because the exercise is designed to test the driver's ability to maneuver the apparatus safely and accurately without impacting the obstacles. This action directly reflects a lack of control and awareness, which can be critical in real-life scenarios where precision is essential for safety and effective operation of firefighting equipment.

Driving too fast might result in a lack of control but is not inherently a penalty within the specific context of this exercise. Taking too long may reflect poor driving skills or an inability to efficiently execute the course but does not incur a penalty like physical contact with markers does. Similarly, performing a maneuver incorrectly might lead to complications or disqualification in certain assessments, but the direct contact with the markers is the clearest infraction during this specific exercise. Therefore, the act of hitting or brushing a marker is the most straightforward violation that leads to a penalty during the serpentine test.