CDL Combination Vehicles TestDriving Combination Vehicles SafelyMedium
You are driving a combination vehicle in heavy traffic and notice a car attempting to merge into your lane from an on-ramp, but you cannot see the driver in your mirrors. What is the most appropriate defensive driving action?
- AHonk your horn continuously until the car backs off.
- BMaintain your speed and assume the car will find another space.
- CSpeed up to close the gap and prevent the car from merging.
- DAdjust your speed or lane position to create a safe space for the merging vehicle.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Adjust your speed or lane position to create a safe space for the merging vehicle.
Defensive driving requires anticipating potential hazards. If you cannot see a merging car's driver, they likely cannot see your truck. Creating space by adjusting speed or moving over (if safe) is the safest way to prevent a collision.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While a warning honk can be useful, continuous honking is aggressive and doesn't solve the problem of creating safe space; it can also startle the other driver.
- B. Assuming another driver will find a space is negligent, especially when you know they are in a blind spot. This places the burden of safety entirely on the other driver.
- C. Closing the gap is aggressive and significantly increases the risk of a collision, as the car may not have anywhere else to go.
Defensive Driving: Merging Traffic
Proactive actions to safely manage merging vehicles, especially when they are in blind spots.
- Anticipate merges from on-ramps.
- Assume other drivers cannot see your large vehicle.
- Create space by adjusting speed or lane position.
- Avoid aggressive maneuvers like speeding up or blocking.
Memory trick: Give a little space, save a life's grace.