WA DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under normal driving conditions, what minimum following distance does Washington recommend behind the vehicle ahead?
- At least 4 seconds (Correct answer)
- 1 second
- 2 car lengths regardless of speed
- 10 seconds
Correct answer: At least 4 seconds
Washington's driver guide recommends keeping at least a 4-second following distance under normal conditions.
Question 2: You are driving on I-5 and notice a driver behind you tailgating aggressively. What is the best defensive response?
- Slow down gradually or change lanes to let them pass (Correct answer)
- Brake hard to warn them
- Speed up to match their pace
- Ignore them and maintain your exact speed in the left lane
Correct answer: Slow down gradually or change lanes to let them pass
Letting a tailgater pass by easing off or moving over removes the hazard without escalating the situation.
Question 3: Where should you look while driving to spot hazards early on a highway?
- About 12 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle (Correct answer)
- Directly at your front bumper
- Only at the vehicle immediately in front
- At the speedometer most of the time
Correct answer: About 12 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle
Scanning 12 to 15 seconds ahead gives you time to identify and react to hazards before reaching them.
Question 4: When passing through an intersection with a green light, a defensive driver should:
- Check left and right for cross traffic before entering (Correct answer)
- Accelerate immediately since the light is green
- Watch only the traffic signal
- Honk to warn other drivers
Correct answer: Check left and right for cross traffic before entering
A green light does not guarantee the intersection is clear, so scan for red-light runners before proceeding.
Question 5: Which of these is the best way to avoid being in another driver's blind spot?
- Speed up or drop back so you are not driving alongside them (Correct answer)
- Flash your headlights continuously
- Stay exactly beside their rear door
- Honk every few seconds
Correct answer: Speed up or drop back so you are not driving alongside them
Adjusting your position so you are visible in the other driver's mirrors keeps you out of their blind spot.
Question 6: What does having an 'escape route' mean in defensive driving?
- Always knowing an open space you can steer into if a hazard develops (Correct answer)
- Memorizing the fastest route home
- Keeping the nearest freeway exit in mind
- Driving on the shoulder when traffic is heavy
Correct answer: Always knowing an open space you can steer into if a hazard develops
An escape route is an open path of travel you can move into to avoid a sudden hazard.
Question 7: You see a ball roll into the street in a residential neighborhood. A defensive driver should:
- Slow down and be ready to stop because a child may follow (Correct answer)
- Maintain speed since the ball is not a vehicle
- Swerve sharply into the other lane
- Honk and continue at the same speed
Correct answer: Slow down and be ready to stop because a child may follow
A ball in the street often means a child is about to run after it, so slow and cover the brake.
WA DMV Defensive Driving Techniques 2
Under normal driving conditions, what minimum following distance does Washington recommend behind the vehicle ahead?