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Difficulty: MediumDefensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

While driving along the right lane of a commercial road, you notice a large delivery van stopped ahead near a crosswalk with its hazard lights flashing. As you draw closer, you spot a pedestrian's feet beneath the front bumper of the van. Which of the following is the most appropriate defensive driving action?

  1. Cover your brake and reduce your speed immediately, preparing to bring your vehicle to a complete stop if the pedestrian steps into your path.Answer
  2. B
    Maintain your speed while sounding your horn continuously to signal to the pedestrian that they must remain stopped.
  3. C
    Accelerate into the adjacent left lane to pass the stopped delivery van before any hazard enters your lane of travel.
  4. D
    Execute a rapid lane change to the left relying solely on your side mirrors to ensure the adjacent lane is clear.

Answer

Cover your brake and reduce your speed immediately, preparing to bring your vehicle to a complete stop if the pedestrian steps into your path.
The correct action is to cover the brake and slow down immediately. Spotting clues such as feet underneath a stopped vehicle is a prime example of hazard anticipation. Reducing speed and preparing to stop eliminates reaction lag time if the pedestrian steps out into traffic.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify potential hazard cues
Recognize that the feet visible underneath the stopped van indicate an obscured pedestrian about to step into the roadway.
Defensive driving requires identifying developing hazards before they become active emergencies.
2
Cover the brake and reduce vehicle speed
Hover the right foot over the brake pedal without fully applying it yet while easing off the accelerator.
Covering the brake eliminates reaction time delay if the pedestrian steps into the travel lane.
3
Prepare for a safe stop or yield
Ensure full control of the vehicle so a smooth, controlled stop can be executed if necessary.
Yielding right-of-way to pedestrians and maintaining safety takes precedence over maintaining vehicle speed.

Key Concept

Defensive Hazard Anticipation and Brake Covering near Obstructed Crosswalks
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Topics

Defensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

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