Defensive driving, seeing, and being ready to drive
A 3-minute lesson from the Hawaii course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Defensive driving means spotting danger early and acting before a crash can develop. It depends on seeing well, being fit to drive, and starting with a vehicle and a plan you can trust.
Defensive driving
A technique in which you identify dangerous driving situations and take action to defend against the danger before a crash situation develops.
Correct any defect that may affect safe operation as soon as possible. If coolant, oil, battery water, tires and lamps weren't checked within the past week, check them before a trip.
All dashboard warning lamps should light when you turn on the ignition. After the check, a yellow light still lit is a warning; a red light means danger – check it immediately.
The brake warning lamp should go out when you release the parking brake. If it lights when you press the brake pedal, the brakes are defective: don't drive.
You borrow a friend's car for the first time. Before pulling out, spend a few minutes finding the wipers, headlight and high-beam controls, hazard switch and horn, and test the brakes. Fix any defect you notice before driving.
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.
Defensive driving means you:
rely on other drivers to avoid you
identify dangerous situations
always follow closely so you can react
drive as fast as safely possible to avoid trouble
Answer: identify dangerous situations
Defensive driving means recognizing hazards and acting to avoid a crash before it happens.
