DKT Car Driver Knowledge Test – Defensive Driving 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Defensive driving means:
- Driving aggressively to assert your position
- Anticipating hazards and driving to prevent accidents (Correct answer)
- Always driving below the speed limit
- Only driving during daylight hours
Correct answer: Anticipating hazards and driving to prevent accidents
Defensive driving involves anticipating potential hazards and taking action to avoid them.
Defensive driving is a proactive approach where drivers constantly scan for potential hazards, maintain safe following distances, anticipate the actions of other road users, and always have an escape route planned.
Question 2: When driving in heavy rain, you should:
- Turn on hazard lights and maintain speed
- Reduce speed and increase following distance (Correct answer)
- Pull over immediately
- Drive in the middle of the road
Correct answer: Reduce speed and increase following distance
Reducing speed and increasing following distance compensates for reduced traction and visibility.
In heavy rain, stopping distances can double. Reduce your speed by 10-20 km/h, increase your following distance to at least 4 seconds, turn on your headlights, and avoid sudden braking or steering movements that could cause aquaplaning.
Question 3: If your car begins to aquaplane, you should:
- Brake hard immediately
- Take your foot off the accelerator and steer straight (Correct answer)
- Accelerate to power through
- Turn the steering wheel sharply
Correct answer: Take your foot off the accelerator and steer straight
Ease off the accelerator and keep the steering wheel straight until tyres regain grip.
Aquaplaning occurs when a layer of water builds between the tyres and road surface. Braking or sharp steering can cause loss of control. Gently ease off the accelerator, keep steering straight, and wait for the tyres to regain contact with the road.
Question 4: The 'scanning' technique in defensive driving involves:
- Only looking straight ahead
- Continuously checking mirrors and scanning 12-15 seconds ahead (Correct answer)
- Focusing on the car directly in front
- Only checking mirrors when changing lanes
Correct answer: Continuously checking mirrors and scanning 12-15 seconds ahead
Effective scanning means looking far ahead while regularly checking mirrors and surroundings.
Defensive drivers scan 12-15 seconds ahead (about 2-3 blocks in urban areas), regularly check all mirrors every 5-8 seconds, and maintain peripheral awareness. This provides maximum time to identify and respond to hazards.
Question 5: When a tailgater is following too closely behind you, the safest action is to:
- Brake check them
- Gradually increase your following distance from the car ahead (Correct answer)
- Speed up to create distance
- Flash your brake lights
Correct answer: Gradually increase your following distance from the car ahead
Increasing your own following distance gives you more time to brake gently, protecting both vehicles.
If tailgated, increase your following distance from the car ahead. This lets you brake more gradually if needed, giving the tailgater more time to react. Never brake-check — it's dangerous and illegal. If possible, safely move aside to let them pass.
Question 6: Buffer zones in defensive driving refer to:
- Speed bumps
- Maintaining space around your vehicle on all sides (Correct answer)
- The gap between traffic lights
- Breakdown lanes
Correct answer: Maintaining space around your vehicle on all sides
Buffer zones are spaces maintained around your vehicle to provide escape routes.
A buffer zone (space cushion) means maintaining space in front, behind, and to the sides of your vehicle whenever possible. This provides reaction time and escape routes if another vehicle or hazard enters your path.
