Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumDefensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

You are driving down a residential two-lane road at 25 mph. Up ahead, you notice a driver inside a parked vehicle along the right curb opening their door, while an oncoming vehicle approaches from the opposite direction. What is the safest defensive driving response to manage these potential hazards?

  1. Reduce speed, cover the brake, and remain centered in your lane until the oncoming vehicle passes before giving the parked vehicle extra clearance.Answer
  2. B
    Maintain your speed and steer into the oncoming lane immediately to maximize lateral space from the opening car door.
  3. C
    Honk your horn and maintain your posted cruising speed to force the driver in the parked car to close their door.
  4. D
    Abruptly stop in the middle of your lane without checking behind you to let the oncoming traffic clear completely.

Answer

Reduce speed, cover the brake, and remain centered in your lane until the oncoming vehicle passes before giving the parked vehicle extra clearance.
When encountering multiple hazards (a car door opening on the right and oncoming traffic on the left), a defensive driver reduces speed and covers the brake to gain reaction time. Remaining in your lane avoids a collision with oncoming traffic, and giving extra clearance after traffic clears ensures safety around the parked vehicle.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify potential hazards
Recognize a dual hazard: a door opening into your travel path on the right and an oncoming vehicle on the left.
Defensive driving requires early identification of multiple conflicting hazards.
2
Prioritize hazard management and control speed
Cover the brake and reduce speed to give yourself time to stop if the door opens fully into your lane.
Slowing down increases reaction time and reduces stopping distance without entering oncoming traffic.
3
Execute spatial positioning safety
Wait until oncoming traffic clears before shifting lateral position away from the parked car.
Splitting hazards sequentially minimizes the risk of a head-on collision.

Key Concept

Defensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Defensive Driving and Hazard Anticipation

More questions from this topic