NJMVC Defensive Driving 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does defensive driving mean?
- Driving with awareness and anticipation of potential hazards (Correct answer)
- Driving aggressively to avoid accidents
- Driving slowly at all times
- Only driving during daylight hours
Correct answer: Driving with awareness and anticipation of potential hazards
Defensive driving involves being constantly aware of your surroundings, anticipating potential dangers, and being prepared to react safely to unexpected situations.
Question 2: What is the 'SIPDE' method in defensive driving?
- Search, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute (Correct answer)
- Stop, Inspect, Proceed, Document, Exit
- Signal, Indicate, Pass, Drive, End
- Start, Idle, Park, Drive, Emergency
Correct answer: Search, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute
SIPDE is a defensive driving strategy: Search the environment, Identify hazards, Predict what might happen, Decide on a response, and Execute your decision.
Question 3: Why should you check your mirrors every 5-8 seconds?
- To maintain awareness of vehicles around you and detect potential hazards (Correct answer)
- Because the law requires it
- To check your appearance
- To watch for police vehicles only
Correct answer: To maintain awareness of vehicles around you and detect potential hazards
Regular mirror checks keep you aware of the positions and movements of vehicles around you, helping you detect potential hazards and plan escape routes.
Question 4: What should you do when a tailgater is following too closely?
- Gradually slow down and increase your following distance from the car ahead (Correct answer)
- Brake suddenly to warn them
- Speed up to create distance
- Ignore them completely
Correct answer: Gradually slow down and increase your following distance from the car ahead
When tailgated, increase your following distance from the vehicle ahead so you can brake more gradually if needed, giving the tailgater more time to react.
Question 5: What is the most important thing to do before changing lanes?
- Check mirrors and blind spots by looking over your shoulder (Correct answer)
- Turn on your signal only
- Speed up significantly
- Honk your horn
Correct answer: Check mirrors and blind spots by looking over your shoulder
Before changing lanes, check all mirrors and physically turn your head to check blind spots — areas not visible in mirrors where vehicles can be hidden.
Question 6: At what time of day do the most fatal crashes occur?
- Nighttime, especially between midnight and 3 AM (Correct answer)
- Morning rush hour
- Noon
- Afternoon
Correct answer: Nighttime, especially between midnight and 3 AM
Fatal crashes disproportionately occur at night due to reduced visibility, driver fatigue, and higher rates of impaired driving.
NJMVC Defensive Driving 1
What does defensive driving mean?