North Carolina driving lesson · Defensive Driving & Hazards
Scanning, signaling & keeping a margin of safety
A 3-minute lesson from the North Carolina course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Defensive driving means seeing trouble early and letting others know what you'll do. Look well ahead, check behind you regularly, and signal every move, even when you think no one is around.
Scanning:
Look 10 to 15 seconds ahead (about one city block)
Check your mirrors about every 10 seconds
Check behind and blind spots when changing lanes, backing, slowing or going down a long hill
Never take your eyes off the road for more than an instant while checking mirrors
Flashing turn signals are legal substitutes for hand signals and are enough at night, but can be hard to see when low sun reflects off the lenses in the early morning or late afternoon.
Facing two dangers at once, give the most room to the greatest or most likely danger. If they're equally hazardous, stop and let oncoming vehicles pass first.
Oncoming cars are on your left and a child is biking on your right. The child is more likely to make a sudden move, so give the child more room, even if that puts you a bit closer to the oncoming lane.
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.
Where the speed limit is under 45 mph, how far before turning should you signal?
At least the last 500 feet
At least the last 20 feet
At least the last 100 feet
No specific distance is required
Answer: At least the last 100 feet
Signal at least the last 100 feet before turning or stopping.