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Difficulty: HardDefensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

When traveling on a multi-lane roadway, if a vehicle in an adjacent lane decelerates to a complete stop near an intersection while your traffic light remains green, defensive driving principles permit you to maintain your speed and pass the stopped vehicle as long as your immediate lane is clear.

Answer: Answer

Answer

False. Defensive drivers must decelerate and prepare to stop when an adjacent vehicle stops unexpectedly near an intersection, as it may be yielding to an obscured pedestrian or hazard.
The statement is false because defensive driving stresses evaluating why surrounding traffic acts unnaturally. An adjacent car stopping near an intersection frequently indicates a pedestrian or vehicle is crossing in front of it. Continuing at full speed past the stopped vehicle leaves zero margin for safety if the hidden hazard enters your lane.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the environmental context and adjacent vehicle behavior.
Identify that a vehicle coming to a complete stop near an intersection in an active lane signals a high probability of an active hazard ahead.
Vehicles in adjacent lanes often block the line of sight to pedestrians or crossing traffic.
2
Evaluate visual sightlines and reaction time.
Recognize that maintaining speed past a sight-blocking vehicle eliminates the space and time buffer needed to stop if a hazard emerges into your lane.
The stopped vehicle creates a visual blind zone immediately in front of its bumper.
3
Apply defensive driving hazard anticipation rules.
Conclude that the driver must cover the brake, reduce speed, and visually verify that the intersection path is clear before proceeding past the stopped vehicle.
Preventing a collision with a hidden hazard takes precedence over maintaining speed through a green light.

Key Concept

Hazard Anticipation and Obscured Sightlines
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Topics

Defensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

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