NSC Defensive Driving 4

Question 1

Which factor most commonly contributes to hydroplaning?

Accepted Answer

Driving too fast on wet roads with worn tires

Answer

Hydroplaning occurs when water builds up under tires faster than it can be displaced, and worn tires or excess speed worsen this effect.

Question 2

What is the 'two-second rule' designed to measure?

Accepted Answer

Minimum following distance expressed in time

Answer

The two-second rule ensures a minimum safe following distance expressed as time rather than feet, which adjusts automatically for speed.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

500 feet

Answer

NSC guidelines recommend dimming high beams when within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle to prevent blinding the other driver.

Question 4

What is 'inattentional blindness' in the context of defensive driving?

Accepted Answer

Failing to see an object in plain sight because attention is focused elsewhere

Answer

Inattentional blindness means the brain misses visible hazards when cognitive attention is diverted, as with phone use.

Question 5

A vehicle behind you is tailgating. What is the safest defensive response?

Accepted Answer

Gradually slow down to increase your own following distance ahead

Answer

Increasing your following distance to the car ahead gives you a larger buffer so any sudden stop won't result in a three-car crash.

NSC Practice Test