CT DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of maintaining a 'space cushion' around your vehicle?
- To save fuel by reducing aerodynamic drag
- To give yourself time and space to react to unexpected hazards (Correct answer)
- To signal to other drivers that you are an experienced driver
- To comply with minimum speed laws on highways
Correct answer: To give yourself time and space to react to unexpected hazards
A space cushion in all directions gives you reaction time and room to maneuver if another driver or road condition creates a hazard.
Question 2: What should you do when an aggressive driver tailgates you in Connecticut?
- Brake suddenly to teach the driver a lesson
- Speed up to create more distance between you
- Safely change lanes or pull over to let them pass (Correct answer)
- Flash your brake lights repeatedly
Correct answer: Safely change lanes or pull over to let them pass
Letting an aggressive driver pass by changing lanes or pulling over de-escalates the situation and keeps you safe.
Question 3: Which factor is most important when judging a safe gap before changing lanes on a highway?
- The color of the vehicle in the adjacent lane
- The speed and distance of vehicles in the target lane (Correct answer)
- Whether your turn signal has been on for at least 3 seconds
- The time of day you are driving
Correct answer: The speed and distance of vehicles in the target lane
Assessing both the speed and distance of vehicles in the lane you're entering determines whether a safe gap exists.
Question 4: In Connecticut, what should you do when your vehicle's right wheels drop off the pavement edge?
- Jerk the steering wheel sharply back onto the road
- Brake hard and stay on the shoulder
- Ease off the gas, grip the wheel firmly, and gradually steer back onto the road (Correct answer)
- Accelerate and quickly return to the lane
Correct answer: Ease off the gas, grip the wheel firmly, and gradually steer back onto the road
Gradually steering back onto the road while reducing speed prevents overcorrection, which can cause a rollover or loss of control.
Question 5: What does the term 'target fixation' mean in defensive driving?
- Keeping your eyes locked on your GPS target
- Focusing only on a hazard and unintentionally steering toward it (Correct answer)
- Setting a speed target before entering a curve
- Maintaining a fixed following distance from your target vehicle
Correct answer: Focusing only on a hazard and unintentionally steering toward it
Target fixation occurs when a driver focuses so intently on a hazard that they unconsciously steer toward it instead of away from it.
Question 6: When driving in heavy rain in Connecticut, why should you turn on your headlights?
- Headlights improve your windshield wiper performance
- Connecticut law requires headlights whenever wipers are in use (Correct answer)
- Headlights heat the road surface and reduce hydroplaning
- Headlights increase engine power in low-visibility conditions
Correct answer: Connecticut law requires headlights whenever wipers are in use
Connecticut law requires drivers to use headlights whenever windshield wipers are in use, improving visibility for all road users.
Question 7: Which of the following is a key element of the SIPDE defensive driving process?
- Steer, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute
- Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute (Correct answer)
- Signal, Increase speed, Park, Decide, Exit
- Stop, Inspect, Plan, Drive, Evaluate
Correct answer: Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute
SIPDE stands for Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute — a systematic process for anticipating and responding to hazards.
CT DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 2
What is the purpose of maintaining a 'space cushion' around your vehicle?