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West Virginia driving lesson · Defensive Driving and Weather

Defensive driving and bad habits

A 3-minute lesson from the West Virginia 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
Defensive Driving and Weather
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
71, 72

Defensive driving means being prepared through good driving habits, used on every trip, whether a few blocks or several hundred miles. Good habits are as easy to build as bad ones; the handbook names five bad ones to watch for in yourself.

Know the rule

Bad driving habits come from laziness, impatience, inattention, arrogance, and aggressiveness. If you show any of them, evaluate your behavior and adjust.

Handbook p. 71 ↗

The bad habits

The bad habits
HabitWhat it looks like
LazinessMirror-only checks instead of head turns; not signaling
ImpatienceRolling stops, speeding stop to stop, weaving, tailgating
InattentionSlouching, loose grip, arm out window, chatting, gesturing
Arrogance / aggressionPurposely hurrying; no respect for laws or others' rights
Handbook p. 71 ↗

Know the rule

Before changing lanes, pulling from the curb, or opening your door on the traffic side, turn your head and look behind you. Don't rely only on the rear view mirror.

Handbook p. 71 ↗

Know the rule

Always signal before turning, changing lanes, or driving away from the curb.

Handbook p. 71 ↗

Know the rule

Come to a complete stop at every stop sign and red light, even when turning right and no cross traffic is coming.

Handbook p. 71 ↗

Know the rule

An impatient driver may feel attentive but is disrupting traffic and increasing the chance of a crash.

Handbook p. 71 ↗

Know the rule

Sit up straight, keep a firm grip on the wheel, know where you are, and watch for developing traffic problems. If your attention wanders, your vehicle may too.

Handbook p. 71 ↗

Know the rule

Don't become an arrogant driver, and don't get into competition with one.

Handbook p. 72 ↗

Concentration

One of the most important elements of safe driving. No daydreaming, mental napping, window shopping, scenic viewing, or distracting conversation: driving is a full-time job.

Handbook p. 72 ↗

Put it into practice

Late for work, you reach a stop sign with no cross traffic in sight and the driver behind you is close. Stop completely anyway. Rolling through because of pressure from behind is exactly the impatience the handbook warns about.

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.

Which bad driving habit does the handbook describe as looking only in the rear view mirror instead of turning your head?
  1. Impatience
  2. Arrogance
  3. Laziness
  4. Concentration

Answer: Laziness

Laziness is illustrated by relying only on the rear view mirror instead of checking traffic directly.

Handbook p. 71 ↗
What must you do at a stop sign or red light, even when making a right turn and no cross traffic is visible?
  1. Slow down but you don't have to fully stop
  2. Come to a complete stop
  3. Roll through slowly if you're in a hurry
  4. Stop only if another car is approaching

Answer: Come to a complete stop

Regardless of traffic, you must come to a complete stop at a stop sign or red light, even turning right.

Handbook p. 71 ↗
Which bad driving habit is described as speeding from stop to stop and weaving through traffic?
  1. Impatience
  2. Laziness
  3. Concentration
  4. Inattention

Answer: Impatience

An impatient driver speeds from stop to stop, weaves in and out of traffic, and often tailgates.

Handbook p. 71 ↗
Which bad habit is described as having little or no respect for traffic laws or the rights of others because your vehicle is 'an extension of your ego'?
  1. Impatience
  2. Inattention
  3. Laziness
  4. Arrogance and aggressiveness

Answer: Arrogance and aggressiveness

Arrogant or aggressive drivers compete with their vehicles as an extension of their ego, disregarding laws and others' rights.

Handbook p. 72 ↗
What behaviors identify an inattentive driver, according to the handbook?
  1. Driving with one arm out the window and gesturing while talking
  2. Checking mirrors every few seconds
  3. Sitting up straight with a firm grip on the wheel
  4. Signaling every lane change well in advance

Answer: Driving with one arm out the window and gesturing while talking

An inattentive driver may drive with one arm out the window, talk to passengers, or gesture instead of watching traffic.

Handbook p. 71 ↗
Defensive driving means being prepared through the practice of good driving habits.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

The handbook defines defensive driving as preparedness through good habits practiced every trip.

Handbook p. 71 ↗
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