AL DMV AL DMV Defensive Driving 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary goal of defensive driving in Alabama?
- Anticipate hazards and reduce crash risk (Correct answer)
- Drive faster to clear traffic quickly
- Follow all laws while ignoring others
- Maintain maximum speed limits
Correct answer: Anticipate hazards and reduce crash risk
Defensive driving means anticipating potential hazards and making decisions that reduce the risk of accidents.
Question 2: The 'three-second rule' in Alabama refers to:
- Maintaining a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead (Correct answer)
- The time allowed at a stop sign
- Reaction time after seeing a hazard
- Time to signal before changing lanes
Correct answer: Maintaining a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead
The three-second rule means you should stay at least three seconds behind the vehicle ahead to have adequate stopping distance.
Question 3: When driving in heavy rain on Alabama roads, you should:
- Reduce speed and increase following distance (Correct answer)
- Maintain normal speed to keep up with traffic
- Turn on hazard lights and maintain speed
- Pull to the shoulder immediately
Correct answer: Reduce speed and increase following distance
Rain reduces traction and visibility, so slowing down and increasing following distance compensates for longer stopping distances.
Question 4: What should an Alabama driver do when a school bus stops with flashing red lights?
- Stop and wait until lights stop and arm retracts (Correct answer)
- Slow to 15 mph and pass carefully
- Stop only if on the same side of the road
- Proceed if no children are visible
Correct answer: Stop and wait until lights stop and arm retracts
Alabama requires all drivers to stop when a school bus activates its red flashing lights and extend its stop arm, regardless of direction.
Question 5: In Alabama, tailgating is dangerous primarily because it:
- Reduces reaction time and stopping distance (Correct answer)
- Increases road rage in other drivers
- Violates the speed limit
- Causes tire wear
Correct answer: Reduces reaction time and stopping distance
Following too closely reduces the time you have to react and the distance available to stop before hitting the vehicle ahead.
Question 6: The correct response when your vehicle begins to hydroplane on wet Alabama roads is:
- Ease off the gas and steer straight (Correct answer)
- Brake hard immediately
- Turn the steering wheel sharply
- Accelerate to regain traction
Correct answer: Ease off the gas and steer straight
When hydroplaning, gradually releasing the accelerator and maintaining straight steering allows tires to regain contact with the road.
AL DMV AL DMV Defensive Driving 1
What is the primary goal of defensive driving in Alabama?