RTA Road Safety & Defensive Driving 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When driving in heavy rain, you should increase your following distance to at least:
- 1 second
- 2 seconds
- 4 seconds (Correct answer)
- 6 seconds
Correct answer: 4 seconds
In heavy rain, stopping distances increase significantly, so doubling the normal 2-second rule to at least 4 seconds is recommended.
Question 2: What is 'hydroplaning' and when does it typically occur?
- Engine flooding at low speeds
- Loss of tire traction on wet roads at speed (Correct answer)
- Brake failure on steep hills
- Overheating of the cooling system
Correct answer: Loss of tire traction on wet roads at speed
Hydroplaning occurs when a tire rides on a film of water rather than the road surface, typically at speeds above 35 mph on wet roads.
Question 3: A defensive driver approaching a green traffic light should:
- Accelerate to clear the intersection quickly
- Cover the brake and scan for cross traffic (Correct answer)
- Flash headlights to warn other drivers
- Honk to alert pedestrians
Correct answer: Cover the brake and scan for cross traffic
Even with a green light, a defensive driver covers the brake and checks for vehicles or pedestrians who may be running the red light.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of the 'space cushion' concept in defensive driving?
- To improve fuel efficiency
- To allow time and distance to react and stop safely (Correct answer)
- To avoid paying tolls
- To reduce tire wear
Correct answer: To allow time and distance to react and stop safely
A space cushion around your vehicle gives you time and room to react to hazards and avoid collisions.
Question 5: When should you use your vehicle's hazard lights while driving?
- When driving slowly in a parking lot
- When stopped or moving unusually slowly due to an emergency (Correct answer)
- When making a left turn at an intersection
- When following a funeral procession
Correct answer: When stopped or moving unusually slowly due to an emergency
Hazard lights should only be used when your vehicle is stopped or moving very slowly due to an emergency or breakdown, to warn other drivers.
Question 6: At night, when an oncoming vehicle has its high beams on, you should:
- Flash your high beams repeatedly
- Look toward the right edge of the road (Correct answer)
- Stop until they pass
- Turn on your own high beams
Correct answer: Look toward the right edge of the road
Looking toward the right edge of the road prevents temporary blindness from the oncoming headlight glare while keeping your lane reference.
Question 7: What does 'target fixation' mean in the context of road safety?
- Setting a GPS destination before driving
- Steering toward a hazard you are focused on (Correct answer)
- Keeping eyes fixed on the speedometer
- Maintaining a fixed speed on the highway
Correct answer: Steering toward a hazard you are focused on
Target fixation is the tendency to steer toward whatever you are looking at, which can cause drivers to hit the very hazard they are trying to avoid.
RTA Road Safety & Defensive Driving 2
When driving in heavy rain, you should increase your following distance to at least: