Defensive Driving Flashcards

In New Jersey, what should you do if your vehicle begins to skid on a slippery road?

Answer: Steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go and ease off the gas

Steering into the skid (the direction your rear is sliding) and releasing the gas allows tires to regain grip.

Which factor most increases the danger posed by a tailgater behind you?

Answer: It reduces your ability to brake gradually in time to avoid rear-end collision

A tailgater eliminates the buffer needed to absorb a sudden stop, greatly increasing rear-end collision risk.

When driving at night, you should dim your high beams when an oncoming car is within how many feet?

Answer: 500 feet

New Jersey law requires dimming high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle to prevent blinding the other driver.

What defensive action should you take when approaching a school bus with flashing red lights on a two-lane New Jersey road?

Answer: Stop at least 25 feet away and wait until lights stop and arm retracts

NJ law requires all traffic on both sides of a two-lane road to stop at least 25 feet from a school bus with red lights flashing.

During a defensive driving course, 'commentary driving' is used primarily to:

Answer: Verbally identify hazards to keep the driver actively engaged with the environment

Commentary driving forces the driver to put observations into words, sharpening hazard perception and sustained attention.

On a NJ highway on-ramp, a defensive driver should:

Answer: Match highway traffic speed before merging and signal early

Matching highway speed and signaling early allows a smooth merge that does not disrupt traffic flow or cause rear-end collisions.

Which of the following best describes the 'cushion of space' concept in defensive driving?

Answer: Maintaining open space on all sides of your vehicle as an escape route

A cushion of space on all sides gives you options to maneuver away from hazards in any direction.