TX DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should a defensive driver do when approaching a school bus with flashing red lights on a Texas road?
- Slow to 15 mph and pass carefully
- Stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing (Correct answer)
- Honk to alert children and proceed
- Stop only if children are visible
Correct answer: Stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing
Texas law requires all vehicles to stop when a school bus displays flashing red lights and not move until the lights stop flashing.
Question 2: Which technique helps a driver manage a skid on a slippery Texas road?
- Brake hard immediately
- Steer into the direction of the skid and ease off the gas (Correct answer)
- Turn the steering wheel sharply in the opposite direction
- Accelerate to regain traction
Correct answer: Steer into the direction of the skid and ease off the gas
Steering into the skid helps realign the vehicle while easing off the gas reduces wheel spin.
Question 3: A defensive driver sees debris on the highway. What is the safest action?
- Brake hard to stop before it
- Swerve quickly into another lane without checking mirrors
- Check mirrors, signal, and change lanes safely if possible (Correct answer)
- Drive over it slowly
Correct answer: Check mirrors, signal, and change lanes safely if possible
Checking mirrors and signaling before changing lanes avoids creating a crash while evading the debris.
Question 4: In Texas, what is the recommended action if your vehicle's tire blows out at highway speed?
- Brake hard and pull over immediately
- Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and steer straight (Correct answer)
- Quickly turn onto the shoulder
- Pump the brakes rapidly
Correct answer: Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and steer straight
A firm grip and gradual deceleration help maintain vehicle control during a blowout without causing a swerve.
Question 5: What does the 'two-second rule' help a driver maintain?
- Safe speed on curves
- Adequate following distance (Correct answer)
- Proper lane position
- Correct reaction time at intersections
Correct answer: Adequate following distance
The two-second rule ensures a minimum following distance by timing how long it takes to reach the same point a vehicle ahead just passed.
Question 6: A driver is being tailgated on a Texas freeway. What is the safest defensive response?
- Tap the brakes to warn the tailgater
- Speed up to create distance
- Gradually slow down and move to the right to allow them to pass (Correct answer)
- Match their speed and hold your lane
Correct answer: Gradually slow down and move to the right to allow them to pass
Gradually slowing and moving right allows the aggressive driver to pass safely without escalating the situation.
Question 7: At night, when should a defensive driver dim high-beam headlights for oncoming traffic?
- Within 1,000 feet
- Within 500 feet (Correct answer)
- Within 200 feet
- Only when the other driver flashes their lights
Correct answer: Within 500 feet
Texas law requires dimming high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle to avoid blinding the other driver.
TX DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 3
What should a defensive driver do when approaching a school bus with flashing red lights on a Texas road?