Which statement best describes defensive driving?

Which statement best describes defensive driving?

• A. Driving only as fast as the car in front.
• B. Maintaining constant speed regardless of traffic.
• C. Keeping your eyes moving to look for possible hazards.
• D. Ignoring other drivers and taking risks.

Answer: (C)

Defensive driving means actively scanning the driving environment to identify hazards before they become problems. Keeping your eyes moving is essential because it helps you notice potential hazards early—the car ahead braking, a driver changing lanes, pedestrians near intersections, or changing road conditions. By continually surveying the scene, you can adjust your speed, following distance, and lane position to avoid a crash and respond more quickly to others’ actions. In practice, this means looking ahead and to the sides, checking mirrors, and being ready to react if conditions change. This approach contrasts with ideas that rely on matching the car in front, holding a constant speed no matter what, or ignoring other drivers and taking risks. Those habits reduce your ability to anticipate danger, maintain a safe space cushion, and respond in time to avoid problems.

Defensive driving means actively scanning the driving environment to identify hazards before they become problems. Keeping your eyes moving is essential because it helps you notice potential hazards early—the car ahead braking, a driver changing lanes, pedestrians near intersections, or changing road conditions. By continually surveying the scene, you can adjust your speed, following distance, and lane position to avoid a crash and respond more quickly to others’ actions. In practice, this means looking ahead and to the sides, checking mirrors, and being ready to react if conditions change.

This approach contrasts with ideas that rely on matching the car in front, holding a constant speed no matter what, or ignoring other drivers and taking risks. Those habits reduce your ability to anticipate danger, maintain a safe space cushion, and respond in time to avoid problems.