Florida Class E Knowledge ExamSafe Driving PracticesMedium
You are driving on a multi-lane highway, and the vehicle in front of you suddenly brakes hard. You have sufficient following distance. What is the primary defensive driving action you should take?
- AImmediately hit your brakes as hard as possible.
- BSteer sharply into the adjacent lane to avoid a collision.
- CCheck your rearview mirror for traffic behind you before braking.
- DAccelerate to get around the braking vehicle quickly.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Check your rearview mirror for traffic behind you before braking.
Before braking hard, it's crucial to check your rearview mirror. This allows you to assess if there's a vehicle closely behind you that might rear-end you, informing your decision to brake or potentially steer to an open lane if safe.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While braking is necessary, doing so without checking your mirrors first can lead to a rear-end collision if traffic behind you is too close.
- B. Steering sharply without checking your blind spots or adjacent lanes can cause a collision with another vehicle.
- D. Accelerating into a dangerous situation is highly unsafe and increases the risk of a collision.
Evasive Action Prioritization
The sequence of actions a driver should consider when an immediate hazard requires evasive maneuvers, focusing on safety for all vehicles involved.
- Assess surroundings before acting.
- Check mirrors for rear traffic.
- Look for escape paths.
Memory trick: Brake? Look back and around, then make your sound!