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Difficulty: HardDefensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

You are driving in the center lane of a multi-lane urban street approaching an intersection with a solid green traffic light. A large delivery truck in the adjacent right lane slows down and comes to a complete stop just before the crosswalk, blocking your view of the right side of the intersection. What is the most critical hazard to anticipate, and what is the safest defensive action?

  1. Anticipate a pedestrian crossing in front of the stopped truck; slow down and prepare to stop before passing the vehicle.Answer
  2. B
    Assume the truck driver is turning right or experiencing a mechanical breakdown, and maintain your speed to pass the vehicle before the signal changes.
  3. C
    Accelerate slightly and execute a rapid lane switch into the far-left lane to bypass the obstruction without stopping.
  4. D
    Honk your horn to alert the truck driver to proceed, while continuing at the posted speed limit to prevent slowing traffic behind you.

Answer

Anticipate a pedestrian crossing in front of the stopped truck; slow down and prepare to stop before passing the vehicle.
The correct defensive response is to anticipate that a pedestrian or vulnerable road user is crossing in front of the stopped truck. Because the truck blocks sightlines to the crosswalk, slowing down and preparing to stop ensures the driver can react safely if someone emerges from in front of the truck.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the unexpected visual cue in the traffic environment.
Identify that a large vehicle stopping at a green light crosswalk likely indicates an obstructed pedestrian or hazard ahead.
Large vehicles obscure sightlines, making early hazard identification critical.
2
Evaluate potential risks before entering the intersection zone.
Recognize that passing a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk creates a high probability of striking an unseen pedestrian.
Pedestrians often step into crosswalks assuming all approaching lanes will yield.
3
Select the appropriate defensive maneuver.
Reduce speed and cover the brake to ensure the vehicle can stop safely before the crosswalk if necessary.
Maintaining speed or accelerating increases stopping distance and reaction time during potential emergencies.

Key Concept

Hazard Anticipation and Crosswalk Safety Near Sight Obstructions
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Topics

Defensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

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