Defensive driving and being pulled over

Defensive driving means adjusting to the weather, how you feel, and what others are doing, so you prevent crashes. If a crash can't be avoided, some choices are much less harmful than others. Knowing traffic-stop steps keeps everyone safe too.

Defensive driving

Using safe driving strategies to prevent crashes by adjusting your driving to the weather, how you feel, and the actions of other drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Handbook p. 83 ↗

Steps to avoid crashes:

1. Look for possible danger, such as children near school zone signs
2. Anticipate what other drivers might do, and adjust
3. Use extra caution at intersections, where crashes happen more than anywhere else

Handbook p. 83 ↗

If a crash is unavoidable, it is better to…

If a crash is unavoidable, it is better to…
Better	Than
Swerve off the road	Swerve into oncoming traffic
Drive off the road	Skid off the road
Hit something that isn't moving	Hit a vehicle moving toward you
Hit a vehicle going your direction	Hit a vehicle head-on
Hit a soft object (a hedge)	Hit a solid object (a tree or post)

Handbook p. 83 ↗

Know the rule

Police conduct traffic stops when they have reasonable suspicion of a traffic or criminal violation. When you see emergency lights behind you, you and your passengers should stay calm and cooperate.

Handbook p. 83 ↗

When you're pulled over:

1. Signal and pull off or to the side of the road as soon as it's safe
2. Turn off your engine and any audio devices
3. Stay in your vehicle unless the officer tells you to get out
4. Keep your hands on the wheel or where they can easily be seen
5. At night, turn on your interior lights; by day, with tinted windows, roll all windows down
6. Follow all instructions the officer gives you or your passengers

Handbook p. 83 ↗

Put it into practice

A driver behind you keeps changing lanes aggressively as they close in. Anticipate that they will pass and cut in front of you. Slow down and be ready to brake so there's room when they do.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

According to the handbook, if a crash is unavoidable, which is the better choice?

Swerving off the road rather than into oncoming traffic
Skidding off the road rather than driving off it
Hitting a vehicle head-on rather than swerving off the road
Hitting a solid object like a tree rather than a soft hedge

Answer: Swerving off the road rather than into oncoming traffic

If a crash is unavoidable, it's better to swerve off the road than into oncoming traffic.

Handbook p. 83 ↗

If forced to hit something in an unavoidable crash, which is the better choice according to the handbook?

A vehicle moving in the opposite direction rather than the same direction
A soft hedge rather than a solid tree or post
A solid object like a tree rather than a soft hedge
A vehicle moving toward you rather than something stationary

Answer: A soft hedge rather than a solid tree or post

Hitting a soft object like a garden hedge is better than hitting a solid object like a tree or post.

Handbook p. 83 ↗

When you see emergency lights behind you signaling a traffic stop, what should you do first?

Call 911 before pulling over
Stop immediately in your current lane
Activate your turn signal and pull off or to the side of the roadway when safe
Speed up to find a well-lit area first

Answer: Activate your turn signal and pull off or to the side of the roadway when safe

Activate your turn signal and pull off or to the side of the roadway as soon as it is safe to do so.

Handbook p. 83 ↗

During a traffic stop, where should you keep your hands?

Holding your license out the window
In your lap
Getting your registration ready
On the wheel or visible

Answer: On the wheel or visible

Keep your hands on the steering wheel or in a visible location so they are easily observable.

Handbook p. 83 ↗