RI DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under normal driving conditions in Rhode Island, what is the recommended minimum following distance behind the vehicle ahead?
- At least 3-4 seconds (Correct answer)
- 1 second
- One car length total
- Half a second
Correct answer: At least 3-4 seconds
A 3-4 second following distance gives you enough time to perceive a hazard and stop under normal conditions.
Question 2: While driving, you should scan the road ahead approximately how far to spot hazards early?
- 12-15 seconds ahead of your vehicle (Correct answer)
- 2 seconds ahead
- Only to the car directly in front
- 1 mile ahead at all times
Correct answer: 12-15 seconds ahead of your vehicle
Scanning 12-15 seconds ahead (about one city block or a quarter mile on the highway) lets you identify hazards before they become emergencies.
Question 3: What is the safest defensive response when another driver is tailgating you?
- Slow down gradually or change lanes to let them pass (Correct answer)
- Brake hard to warn them
- Speed up to match their pace
- Tap your brakes repeatedly to annoy them
Correct answer: Slow down gradually or change lanes to let them pass
Increasing space or moving aside removes the hazard, while brake-checking or speeding up escalates the danger.
Question 4: You are approaching an intersection where your light has just turned green. What should a defensive driver do first?
- Look left, right, then left again before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Accelerate immediately since you have the right-of-way
- Honk to alert cross traffic
- Wait at least 30 seconds before moving
Correct answer: Look left, right, then left again before proceeding
Checking cross traffic before entering protects you from red-light runners even when you legally have the right-of-way.
Question 5: Which of these best describes a proper 'space cushion' around your vehicle?
- Maintaining open space on all four sides of your car whenever possible (Correct answer)
- Keeping space only in front of your car
- Driving in the center lane at all times
- Staying within one foot of the lane line
Correct answer: Maintaining open space on all four sides of your car whenever possible
A space cushion on all sides gives you an escape path in any direction if a hazard develops.
Question 6: When passing a bicyclist on a Rhode Island road, defensive drivers should leave at least how much clearance?
- 3 feet (Correct answer)
- 6 inches
- 1 foot
- No specific clearance is needed
Correct answer: 3 feet
Rhode Island law and safe practice require leaving at least three feet of space when passing a bicyclist.
Question 7: What should you do if you begin to feel drowsy while driving on a long trip?
- Stop in a safe place and rest or switch drivers (Correct answer)
- Turn up the radio and keep driving
- Open the window and drive faster to finish sooner
- Drink coffee and rely on it for the rest of the trip
Correct answer: Stop in a safe place and rest or switch drivers
Only rest or a driver change actually resolves fatigue; tricks like loud music provide a brief, false sense of alertness.
RI DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 2
Under normal driving conditions in Rhode Island, what is the recommended minimum following distance behind the vehicle ahead?