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Difficulty: Very hardDefensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

You are traveling in the center lane of a busy arterial street approaching an intersection with a green signal. A large box truck stopped in the left-turn lane entirely obstructs your view of oncoming left-turning traffic, while another vehicle is tailgating closely behind you. Which defensive driving action best manages these overlapping hazards?

  1. Ease off the accelerator to cover the brake and scan the intersection, reducing speed gradually to avoid provoking a rear-end collision while preparing to stop if an oncoming vehicle turns across your path.Answer
  2. B
    Maintain posted speed through the intersection without decelerating because a solid green light grants absolute right-of-way over turning vehicles.
  3. C
    Accelerate and shift into the left lane behind the box truck to pass through the intersection quickly before oncoming traffic can initiate a turn.
  4. D
    Perform a complete stop at the intersection threshold under the green light until the box truck turns and clears your view of oncoming traffic.

Answer

The defensive driver should ease off the accelerator, cover the brake, and decelerate smoothly to anticipate hidden oncoming turners while preventing a rear-end impact from the tailgater.
Covering the brake pedal while allowing the vehicle to decelerate smoothly prepares the driver to stop immediately if an oncoming vehicle completes an unsafe left turn around the sight obstruction, while gradual slowing avoids surprising the tailgater behind.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary sight-distance hazard
Recognize that the large box truck in the adjacent turn lane blocks line-of-sight to potential oncoming vehicles executing an unprotected left turn across your lane.
Sight obstructions require proactive speed reduction to maintain safe stopping distances.
2
Identify the secondary space-cushion hazard
Acknowledge the tailgating driver directly behind your vehicle.
Hard or sudden braking will likely trigger a rear-end collision from the trailing driver.
3
Synthesize a defensive mitigation maneuver
Ease off the gas to cover the brake pedal, allowing natural engine braking to slow the vehicle gently.
Covering the brake eliminates reaction delay if an oncoming vehicle turns unexpectedly, while gentle speed reduction gives the tailgater time to react.

Key Concept

Defensive Hazard Anticipation and Space Management
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Defensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

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