AK DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Your vehicle starts to skid on packed snow with the rear sliding right. You should:
- Brake hard and steer left
- Shift into neutral and pull the parking brake
- Ease off the gas and steer gently to the right, in the direction of the skid (Correct answer)
- Accelerate to regain traction
Correct answer: Ease off the gas and steer gently to the right, in the direction of the skid
Steering in the direction the rear is sliding while easing off the accelerator helps the tires regain grip.
Question 2: What does having an 'escape route' mean in defensive driving?
- Always knowing an open space you can steer into if a hazard develops (Correct answer)
- Keeping a spare highway exit in mind
- Memorizing the fastest route home
- Planning to pass slower vehicles
Correct answer: Always knowing an open space you can steer into if a hazard develops
An escape route is an open space around your vehicle you can use to avoid a sudden hazard.
Question 3: When driving into low sun glare on a snow-covered road, you should:
- Close one eye to reduce glare
- Use high beams to overpower the glare
- Slow down, use sunglasses and your visor, and increase following distance (Correct answer)
- Follow the taillights ahead closely
Correct answer: Slow down, use sunglasses and your visor, and increase following distance
Reducing speed and using glare protection compensates for reduced visibility off snow and sun.
Question 4: Another driver runs a red light as you enter an intersection on green. This shows why defensive drivers should:
- Honk while crossing intersections
- Trust the signal and proceed at full speed
- Always stop at green lights
- Look left and right before entering any intersection, even with a green light (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Look left and right before entering any intersection, even with a green light
A green light gives you the right-of-way but never guarantees cross traffic will stop.
Question 5: If your accelerator pedal sticks while driving, the first thing you should do is:
- Pull the parking brake immediately
- Pump the accelerator while braking hard
- Turn off the ignition and lock the wheel
- Shift to neutral and brake, steering to a safe stop (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Shift to neutral and brake, steering to a safe stop
Shifting to neutral removes engine power so you can brake and steer safely to the shoulder.
Question 6: How does fatigue affect your driving ability?
- It has no effect if you drink coffee
- It only affects night vision
- It slows reaction time and impairs judgment much like alcohol (Correct answer)
- It improves focus by forcing concentration
Correct answer: It slows reaction time and impairs judgment much like alcohol
Drowsiness slows reactions and clouds judgment in ways comparable to alcohol impairment.
Question 7: In long winter darkness, a defensive driver in Alaska should:
- Follow other vehicles closely to use their light
- Drive faster to shorten time exposed to darkness
- Use high beams at all times, including in traffic
- Keep headlights clean, slow down, and scan for wildlife and pedestrians (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Keep headlights clean, slow down, and scan for wildlife and pedestrians
Extended darkness reduces visibility, so clean lights, lower speeds, and active scanning are essential.
AK DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 3
Your vehicle starts to skid on packed snow with the rear sliding right.
You should: