Theoretical Driving Course Defensive Driving and Road Courtesy 1 Flashcards

When driving on a multi-lane highway, which lane should you occupy if you are not overtaking another vehicle?

Answer: The rightmost lane to keep the passing lane clear

The right lane is designated for regular travel, while the left lane is reserved for passing. Occupying the left lane unnecessarily blocks faster traffic and is illegal in many jurisdictions.

A driver behind you continuously flashes their headlights to pressure you to move faster. The correct response is to:

Answer: Maintain your safe speed and move right when safe to allow them to pass

Yielding to an aggressive driver's pressure by speeding is unsafe and illegal. The correct response is to hold your safe, legal speed and move to the right when it is safe to do so, allowing the aggressive driver to pass.

What does the term 'target fixation' mean in the context of defensive driving?

Answer: The tendency to steer toward whatever you are looking at, including hazards

Target fixation is the dangerous tendency for a driver's vehicle to follow their eyes — meaning if you stare at a hazard such as a pothole or barrier, you are likely to steer toward it instead of away from it.

Which of the following best describes 'road courtesy'?

Answer: Voluntarily giving consideration to other road users beyond the minimum required by law

Road courtesy means voluntarily extending consideration and cooperation to fellow road users beyond what traffic law strictly requires, such as allowing merging vehicles in or giving pedestrians extra time to cross safely.

When two vehicles arrive at an uncontrolled intersection at the same time from different roads, which should yield?

Answer: The vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right

At an uncontrolled intersection where vehicles arrive simultaneously, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right. This 'yield to the right' rule establishes a predictable order to prevent collisions.

In defensive driving, 'scanning' refers to:

Answer: Continuously moving your eyes to monitor the road ahead, to the sides, and behind

Scanning means actively and continuously moving your eyes — checking mirrors, the road ahead, and peripheral areas — so you gather information about developing hazards before they become emergencies, giving you more time to react.