NSC Defensive Driving 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When following a large truck on the highway, what is the recommended minimum following distance?
- 2 seconds
- 4 seconds (Correct answer)
- 1 car length
- 10 feet per 10 mph
Correct answer: 4 seconds
Large trucks require at least a 4-second following distance because they block your view and need more stopping distance.
Question 2: What does 'Smith System' refer to in defensive driving?
- A braking technique for wet roads
- A 5-step strategy for safe visual habits while driving (Correct answer)
- A method for parallel parking
- A system for highway merging
Correct answer: A 5-step strategy for safe visual habits while driving
The Smith System is a five-step strategy that helps drivers manage visibility, space, and anticipate hazards.
Question 3: You are approaching an intersection with a green light. What should a defensive driver do?
- Accelerate through quickly to maintain flow
- Cover the brake and scan for cross traffic (Correct answer)
- Honk to warn pedestrians
- Flash headlights at oncoming vehicles
Correct answer: Cover the brake and scan for cross traffic
Even with a green light, a defensive driver covers the brake and checks for cross traffic or red-light runners.
Question 4: What is 'target fixation' and why is it dangerous?
- Keeping eyes on your GPS target
- Focusing on a hazard so intensely that you steer toward it (Correct answer)
- Setting a cruise control speed target
- Fixating on the vehicle ahead's brake lights
Correct answer: Focusing on a hazard so intensely that you steer toward it
Target fixation causes drivers to unconsciously steer toward what they're staring at, increasing crash risk.
Question 5: When driving in heavy rain, you should reduce your speed by approximately how much compared to normal conditions?
- 5 mph
- One-third (Correct answer)
- One-half
- 10 mph
Correct answer: One-third
NSC guidelines recommend reducing speed by about one-third in heavy rain to account for reduced traction and visibility.
Question 6: What is the danger zone around a school bus when it is stopped with flashing red lights?
- 5 feet on each side
- 10 feet in front and behind
- The area within 10 feet of the bus on all sides (Correct answer)
- Only the lane directly behind the bus
Correct answer: The area within 10 feet of the bus on all sides
The 10-foot danger zone surrounds all sides of the bus where children are most at risk of not being seen by the driver.
Question 7: What should you do if your accelerator pedal sticks while driving?
- Immediately turn off the ignition
- Shift to neutral, brake firmly, and pull off the road (Correct answer)
- Pump the brake pedal rapidly
- Open the door to slow the vehicle
Correct answer: Shift to neutral, brake firmly, and pull off the road
Shifting to neutral cuts engine power to the wheels, allowing you to brake and steer to safety without killing the engine.
NSC Defensive Driving 2
When following a large truck on the highway, what is the recommended minimum following distance?