AK DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When following another vehicle on a dry road in good conditions, what minimum following distance does defensive driving recommend?
- A one-second gap
- One car length total
- Half a car length per 10 mph
- A three- to four-second gap (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A three- to four-second gap
A three- to four-second following distance gives you enough time to perceive a hazard and stop under normal conditions.
Question 2: You are driving on an icy Alaska highway and your following distance should be:
- Unchanged if you have all-wheel drive
- Reduced so you can draft the car ahead
- Increased to six seconds or more (Correct answer)
- Kept at two seconds
Correct answer: Increased to six seconds or more
Ice greatly increases stopping distance, so defensive drivers increase the gap to six seconds or more.
Question 3: What is the best way to handle a tailgater who is following you too closely?
- Brake hard to warn them
- Turn on your hazard lights and stop
- Speed up to match their pace
- Slow down gradually or move over to let them pass (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Slow down gradually or move over to let them pass
Easing off the accelerator or changing lanes lets the tailgater pass and removes the hazard behind you.
Question 4: Scanning the road ahead while driving on a highway means looking:
- Only at the car directly in front of you
- At your hood ornament
- About 10 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle (Correct answer)
- About 2 seconds ahead
Correct answer: About 10 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle
Looking 10 to 15 seconds ahead lets you spot hazards early enough to react smoothly.
Question 5: A moose suddenly steps onto the road ahead of you at night. The best defensive response is to:
- Swerve sharply into the oncoming lane
- Speed up to pass before it crosses
- Flash your high beams and honk continuously
- Brake firmly and stay in your lane if possible (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Brake firmly and stay in your lane if possible
Braking in your lane is safer than swerving, which can cause a rollover or head-on collision.
Question 6: Which of these is the defining habit of a defensive driver?
- Driving 5 mph below the limit at all times
- Using the horn to alert others frequently
- Always yielding your legal right-of-way
- Anticipating other drivers' mistakes before they happen (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Anticipating other drivers' mistakes before they happen
Defensive driving means expecting errors from others and preparing an escape plan in advance.
Question 7: Before changing lanes, a defensive driver should:
- Signal and move immediately
- Rely only on the rearview mirror
- Signal, check mirrors, and glance over the shoulder for blind spots (Correct answer)
- Honk once, then change lanes
Correct answer: Signal, check mirrors, and glance over the shoulder for blind spots
Mirrors leave blind spots, so a shoulder check is required before every lane change.
AK DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 2
When following another vehicle on a dry road in good conditions, what minimum following distance does defensive driving recommend?