Question

Difficulty: MediumDefensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

When driving in your lane on a multi-lane roadway and traffic in the adjacent lane comes to a complete stop near a non-signaled intersection or mid-block area, defensive driving practices dictate that you may maintain your speed and proceed past the stopped vehicles as long as your own lane remains clear.

Answer: Answer

Answer

The statement is false. Defensive drivers must anticipate that vehicles stopping unexpectedly in an adjacent lane may be yielding to a hidden pedestrian or hazard obscured from view.
The statement is false because maintaining full speed past vehicles stopped in an adjacent lane presents a severe collision risk. Defensive driving requires drivers to scan for visual obstructions, recognize that stopped cars frequently shield pedestrians or turning traffic, and proactively slow down to prepare for unexpected hazards.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the driving scenario presented in the statement.
Identified a situation where adjacent traffic stops unexpectedly while your lane appears open.
Understanding the visual setup is critical for evaluating potential hazards.
2
Apply defensive driving hazard anticipation principles to hidden sightline obstructions.
Recognized that stopped vehicles block the driver's view of potential pedestrians or cross traffic.
Anticipating unobserved hazards prevents dangerous collisions.
3
Determine the proper driver response and evaluate the statement's truth value.
Drivers must decelerate and prepare to yield rather than maintain speed, making the statement false.
Maintaining speed past blind spots created by stopped traffic violates basic safe driving practices.

Key Concept

Defensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation
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