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Missouri driving lesson · Safe Driving Basics

Defensive driving, posture and steering

A 3-minute lesson from the Missouri course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Safe Driving Basics
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
58, 59

Defensive driving means avoiding crashes caused by your own mistakes and by other people's. Keep your eyes moving, expect others to slip up, and sit and steer so you're always in full control.

As a defensive driver:

  • Keep your eyes moving: ahead, to the sides, and behind in your mirrors every few seconds
  • Watch oncoming vehicles; distracted drivers crossing the center line cause many head-on collisions
  • Expect mistakes: don't assume a car coming to a stop sign will stop, and be ready if it doesn't
  • Never cause a crash on purpose, even if a pedestrian or driver fails to yield to you
  • Don't count on signs or signals: look left and right even if others have a red light or stop sign
Handbook p. 58 ↗

Proper posture:

  • Sit with your back straight, upright and relaxed against the seat
  • Sit close enough to reach the pedals easily, far enough that your elbows are in front of you
  • Keep both feet within reach of the floor controls
  • Keep both hands on the steering wheel
Handbook p. 58 ↗

Know the rule

Grip the wheel with your left hand between the 7 and 9 o'clock positions and your right hand between 3 and 5 o'clock.

Handbook p. 58 ↗

Know the rule

Look well down the road, not just in front of your vehicle, for situations where you'll need to steer or slow before you get there.

Handbook p. 58 ↗

Know the rule

Turn corners using the hand-over-hand technique. Don't turn the wheel with the palm of one hand, and straighten the wheel by hand after the turn.

Handbook p. 58 ↗

Know the rule

Never turn the ignition key to "lock" while the vehicle is moving. The steering wheel will lock when you try to turn it, and you'll lose control.

Handbook p. 59 ↗

Put it into practice

You're approaching an intersection on a green light while a car waits at the cross street's red light. Look left and right before entering anyway: the other driver may not obey the signal.

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.

What is a key habit of defensive driving regarding your eyes?
  1. Focus on the vehicle directly ahead
  2. Keep them moving; check mirrors often
  3. Watch the road just past your hood
  4. Check mirrors only when changing lanes

Answer: Keep them moving; check mirrors often

Defensive drivers keep their eyes moving and check behind them through mirrors every few seconds.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
A vehicle is approaching a stop sign ahead of you. What should a defensive driver assume?
  1. That it will definitely stop
  2. That it has the right-of-way
  3. That it will stop if you honk
  4. That it might not stop; be ready to react

Answer: That it might not stop; be ready to react

Defensive drivers should not assume a vehicle approaching a stop sign will stop; be ready to react if it doesn't.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
At an intersection where you have a green light, should you still look left and right before proceeding?
  1. Yes, other drivers may not obey their signals
  2. No, a green light guarantees safety
  3. Only if you are turning
  4. Only if a car is already waiting

Answer: Yes, other drivers may not obey their signals

Even with a green light, look left and right at an intersection because other drivers may not obey their signals or signs.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
What is the recommended hand position for steering, using clock positions?
  1. 12 and 6 o'clock
  2. Both hands at 12 o'clock
  3. Left hand at 7-9, right hand at 3-5 o'clock
  4. Left hand 10-11, right hand 1-2

Answer: Left hand at 7-9, right hand at 3-5 o'clock

Place your left hand between the seven and nine o'clock positions and your right hand between the three and five o'clock positions.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
What technique should you use when turning a corner with the steering wheel?
  1. Turning with one palm on the wheel
  2. Letting the wheel spin through your hands
  3. Turning with one hand at 12 o'clock
  4. Hand-over-hand technique

Answer: Hand-over-hand technique

Use the hand-over-hand technique when turning corners; do not turn the wheel with just the palm of one hand.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
Why should you never turn your ignition key to the 'lock' position while the vehicle is still moving?
  1. The steering locks and you lose control
  2. It will drain the battery
  3. It will trigger the air bags
  4. It has no real effect while moving

Answer: The steering locks and you lose control

Turning the key to 'lock' while moving causes the steering wheel to lock if you try to turn it, and you will lose control.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
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