MO DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under normal driving conditions in Missouri, what minimum following distance should you maintain behind the vehicle ahead?
- A two-second gap
- A three-second gap (Correct answer)
- One car length total
- A half-second gap
Correct answer: A three-second gap
Missouri recommends at least a three-second following distance under normal conditions, increased in bad weather.
Question 2: When driving in fog, a defensive driver should use which headlight setting?
- High beams for maximum visibility
- Low beams (Correct answer)
- Parking lights only
- Hazard flashers with headlights off
Correct answer: Low beams
High beams reflect off fog and reduce visibility, so low beams should always be used in fog.
Question 3: If another driver is tailgating you, the safest defensive response is to:
- Brake hard to warn them
- Speed up to increase the gap
- Slow down gradually or change lanes to let them pass (Correct answer)
- Turn on your high beams
Correct answer: Slow down gradually or change lanes to let them pass
Easing off the accelerator or moving over lets the tailgater pass without provoking a collision.
Question 4: What does it mean to have an 'escape route' while driving defensively?
- Knowing the fastest way home
- An open space you can steer into if a hazard develops (Correct answer)
- A planned detour around construction
- Keeping a map in the vehicle
Correct answer: An open space you can steer into if a hazard develops
An escape route is open space around your vehicle you can move into to avoid a sudden hazard.
Question 5: When approaching an intersection where you have a green light, a defensive driver should:
- Proceed at full speed since you have the right-of-way
- Look left, right, and left again before entering (Correct answer)
- Honk to warn cross traffic
- Close the gap to the car ahead
Correct answer: Look left, right, and left again before entering
Even with a green light, scanning the intersection protects you from red-light runners.
Question 6: Which of these is the best way to handle a driver showing signs of road rage toward you?
- Make eye contact and gesture back
- Pull over and confront them
- Avoid eye contact and give them plenty of room (Correct answer)
- Match their speed to stay ahead
Correct answer: Avoid eye contact and give them plenty of room
Disengaging and creating distance is the safest response to an aggressive or enraged driver.
Question 7: How far ahead should you scan the road when driving on the highway?
- About 2 seconds ahead
- About 5 seconds ahead
- About 10 to 15 seconds ahead (Correct answer)
- Only to the vehicle directly ahead
Correct answer: About 10 to 15 seconds ahead
Scanning 10 to 15 seconds ahead gives you time to spot hazards and plan before you reach them.
MO DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 2
Under normal driving conditions in Missouri, what minimum following distance should you maintain behind the vehicle ahead?