MD DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under normal driving conditions in Maryland, what minimum following distance should you keep behind the vehicle ahead?
- At least 3 to 4 seconds (Correct answer)
- One car length total
- Half a second
- Exactly 10 feet
Correct answer: At least 3 to 4 seconds
Maryland recommends a following distance of at least 3 to 4 seconds under normal conditions to allow time to react and stop.
Question 2: You are driving in the right lane and a vehicle is merging onto the highway from an entrance ramp. What is the best defensive action?
- Adjust your speed or move left if safe to allow the vehicle to merge (Correct answer)
- Speed up to block the merge
- Stop on the highway
- Honk continuously until they yield
Correct answer: Adjust your speed or move left if safe to allow the vehicle to merge
Defensive drivers help merging traffic by adjusting speed or safely changing lanes to create space.
Question 3: What does it mean to have an 'escape route' while driving defensively?
- An identified open space you can steer into if a hazard develops (Correct answer)
- A shortcut to avoid traffic
- The shoulder reserved for passing
- A memorized detour home
Correct answer: An identified open space you can steer into if a hazard develops
An escape route is an open space around your vehicle you can move into to avoid a sudden hazard.
Question 4: While driving, you should scan the road ahead approximately how far in city traffic?
- About one block, or 10 to 15 seconds ahead (Correct answer)
- Only to the car directly in front
- A quarter mile at all times
- 5 feet ahead of your bumper
Correct answer: About one block, or 10 to 15 seconds ahead
Scanning about one block, roughly 10 to 15 seconds ahead, gives you time to spot and react to hazards in city driving.
Question 5: A driver behind you is tailgating aggressively. What is the safest defensive response?
- Slow down gradually or change lanes to let them pass (Correct answer)
- Brake hard to warn them
- Speed up well above the limit
- Stop in the travel lane
Correct answer: Slow down gradually or change lanes to let them pass
Letting a tailgater pass by slowing gradually or moving over removes the hazard without provoking conflict.
Question 6: Why should you avoid driving in another vehicle's blind spot?
- The driver may change lanes without seeing you (Correct answer)
- It uses more fuel
- It is illegal in Maryland at all times
- It confuses your GPS
Correct answer: The driver may change lanes without seeing you
Lingering in a blind spot means the other driver cannot see you and may move into your lane.
Question 7: When approaching an intersection where you have a green light, a defensive driver should:
- Check left and right for cross traffic before entering (Correct answer)
- Accelerate immediately without looking
- Close their eyes briefly to focus
- Always come to a complete stop
Correct answer: Check left and right for cross traffic before entering
Even with a green light, checking for red-light runners and cross traffic prevents intersection crashes.
MD DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 2
Under normal driving conditions in Maryland, what minimum following distance should you keep behind the vehicle ahead?