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Difficulty: MediumDefensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

While driving on a multi-lane roadway in moderate traffic, you scan several vehicles ahead and notice the brake lights of a car three positions in front of you flashing repeatedly, although the vehicle directly in front of you has not yet slowed down. Which of the following is the safest defensive driving action to take?

  1. Ease off the accelerator to widen your following distance and cover your brake pedal in anticipation of traffic slowing.Answer
  2. B
    Maintain your speed and current following distance until the vehicle directly ahead of you applies its brakes.
  3. C
    Swerve quickly into an adjacent lane without performing a shoulder check to bypass the potential slowdown.
  4. D
    Accelerate immediately to close the gap ahead before traffic comes to a complete halt.

Answer

Ease off the accelerator to widen your following distance and cover your brake pedal in anticipation of traffic slowing.
Defensive driving requires scanning 10–15 seconds ahead to anticipate hazards. Seeing brake lights multiple cars ahead is a signal that traffic flow is stopping or slowing down. Easing off the gas and increasing following distance allows for a smooth, controlled slowdown while giving drivers behind you early warning.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Scan 10 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle rather than focusing only on the vehicle immediately in front.
Early identification of potential traffic hazards and braking events further down the road.
Defensive driving requires high visual lead time to anticipate hazards before they turn into emergencies.
2
Recognize the hazard signal (brake lights flickering multiple cars ahead) and ease off the accelerator.
The vehicle begins to decelerate naturally and following distance expands.
Creating extra space buffer gives both you and following drivers adequate time to react safely.
3
Cover the brake pedal without hard braking.
Reaction time is minimized if a sudden stop becomes necessary.
Covering the brake positions your foot over the brake pedal so you can stop faster if the lead driver brakes suddenly.

Key Concept

Visual lead time and hazard anticipation in defensive driving
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Defensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

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