TX DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When following a large truck on a Texas highway, what is the safest following distance?
- 1 second
- 2 seconds
- 4 seconds or more (Correct answer)
- One car length
Correct answer: 4 seconds or more
Large trucks have significant blind spots and require longer stopping distances, so at least 4 seconds of following distance is recommended.
Question 2: A defensive driver notices a car weaving between lanes ahead. What is the best response?
- Flash your headlights to warn them
- Increase following distance and prepare to stop (Correct answer)
- Pass them quickly to get ahead
- Honk repeatedly
Correct answer: Increase following distance and prepare to stop
Increasing your following distance gives you more time to react if the erratic driver causes a crash.
Question 3: What does 'covering the brake' mean in defensive driving?
- Pressing the brake pedal lightly at all times
- Moving your foot from the accelerator to hover over the brake (Correct answer)
- Using the emergency brake as a backup
- Pumping the brakes repeatedly
Correct answer: Moving your foot from the accelerator to hover over the brake
Covering the brake reduces reaction time by positioning your foot over the pedal when a hazard is anticipated.
Question 4: In Texas, when is hydroplaning most likely to occur?
- During heavy downpours only
- In the first few minutes of light rain when oil mixes with water (Correct answer)
- Only when driving over puddles
- At speeds below 30 mph
Correct answer: In the first few minutes of light rain when oil mixes with water
Early light rain lifts road oils to the surface, creating slippery conditions before the oils are washed away.
Question 5: A defensive driver approaches an intersection with a stale green light. What should they do?
- Accelerate to clear the intersection faster
- Maintain speed and proceed normally
- Prepare to stop in case the light changes (Correct answer)
- Sound the horn to warn cross-traffic
Correct answer: Prepare to stop in case the light changes
A stale green light has been green for a while and is likely to turn yellow or red soon, so slowing and preparing to stop is the safe choice.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of scanning mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds while driving?
- To check your appearance
- To maintain awareness of traffic around you (Correct answer)
- To satisfy Texas law requirements
- To locate road signs
Correct answer: To maintain awareness of traffic around you
Regular mirror scanning keeps you aware of changing traffic conditions and helps you detect hazards from behind and the sides.
Question 7: When driving in heavy rain in Texas, which action best reduces the risk of a crash?
- Use high-beam headlights to see farther
- Reduce speed and increase following distance (Correct answer)
- Stay in the left lane to avoid spray from trucks
- Turn on hazard lights and maintain normal speed
Correct answer: Reduce speed and increase following distance
Reducing speed and increasing following distance compensates for longer braking distances and reduced visibility in rain.
TX DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 2
When following a large truck on a Texas highway, what is the safest following distance?