Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumDefensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

While traveling in the middle lane of a three-lane roadway, you observe a vehicle in the adjacent right lane drifting slightly into your lane while the driver repeatedly looks down. Simultaneously, another vehicle is tailgating you closely from behind. Which of the following actions represents the best defensive driving response to manage these hazards safely?

  1. A
    Accelerate rapidly past the drifting vehicle to clear its potential collision path quickly.
  2. Ease off the accelerator to gradually increase space ahead and create a safety buffer around the drifting driver without sudden braking.Answer
  3. C
    Immediately steer into the left lane relying solely on your side mirrors to execute the lane change quickly.
  4. D
    Tap your brakes repeatedly to force the tailgater to back off while sounding your horn at the drifting driver.

Answer

Easing off the accelerator to gradually increase space ahead and create a safety buffer around the drifting driver without sudden braking is the safest course of action.
Gradually easing off the gas pedal opens up a protective space cushion in front of your vehicle and creates time to react if the distracted driver strays further into your lane. Doing this smoothly without hard braking prevents terrifying or surprising the tailgater behind you.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify potential hazards surrounding your vehicle.
Recognize two active hazards: a distracted driver drifting from the right lane and a tailgater following closely behind.
Defensive driving requires continuously scanning 360 degrees around the vehicle to anticipate potential conflict points.
2
Evaluate response options against traffic safety principles.
Determine that hard braking risks a rear-end crash with the tailgater, while sudden steering without a shoulder check risks a side collision in the adjacent left lane.
Actions taken to avoid one hazard must not create a higher-risk hazard elsewhere.
3
Adjust speed smoothly to establish a maximum safety cushion.
Easiest and safest action is easing off the throttle to create forward space, allowing the drifting car to clear while giving the tailgater ample distance to react.
Controlling your speed and space cushion gives you time and options to react safely.

Key Concept

Hazard Anticipation and Space Cushion Management
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Defensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

More questions from this topic