Questions for a Defensive Driving Course
Car accidents can be devastating. From a minor fender-bender to major loss of life, most accidents have the common cause of a driver not paying attention. Accidents can be especially frustrating if they're not your fault. The only way to avoid a driver who is not paying attention is by defensive driving. This means not just looking out for yourself, but looking out for other drivers. In designing a defensive driving course, various scenarios can be presented. Afterwards, some good questions can be asked of students in an effort to make them think.
Other People Are Reading
-
Left Turn Question
-
The first questions asked should be about the level of trust students should put in other drivers. According to the Nemours Foundation, never depend on other drivers. A scenario could be set up where a student is driving straight through a green light. An oncoming car is turning left. The question is: "Do you depend on the other driver not to turn left in front of you?" The answer should be "No." The students can explain why the answer should be "No."
Ice Question
-
A scenario can be set up during the early winter months. Suppose the student is driving, and it starts to rain. The student notices the rain turns into freezing sleet. the student is about to cross a bridge. The question becomes: Should you continue driving as if nothing is happening?" The answer is "No." Experienced drivers know ice will accumulate on bridges and overpasses first, and they slow down due to slippery conditions. The Michigan State Police stated that roads start to freeze at 40 degrees Fahrenheit, instead of 32 degrees. Furthermore, bridges and overpasses always freeze over first.
-
Weaving Drivers
-
A student is driving down the road, and a car in front of them is weaving violently back and forth outside the lanes. The question becomes: "What should you do?" The correct answer is "Give them a wide berth." The driver could be drunk and not aware of his surroundings. Stay back as far as possible, since he may slam on his brakes. If the student tries to pass, he could weave right into the student's car. If the student has a cell phone, he should pull over to the side of the road and call the authorities with the location of the weaving car.
Motorcycles
-
Motorcycle drivers have a unique set of concerns --- for him and for the cars around him. A scenario is you are driving behind a motorcycle. The question becomes: "Should you treat the motorcycle like another car?" The answer is "No." If a car gets a flat tire, it is usually controllable. If a motorcycle gets a flat tire, it will "wipe out" and toss the rider onto the road. Anticipate such events, and give the cyclist more room. If he hits a slick spot or gravel, odds are good he will wipe out.
Loose Loads
-
A scenario is you are driving behind a pickup truck with debris not tied down in the bed. The question becomes: "What should you do?" The answer is "Do not tailgate and back off." If the load is loose, odds are good the truck will lose some of it along the way. If the truck loses something like a end table or lamp, allow enough room between you and the truck to avoid hitting the object.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit George Marks/Retrofile/Getty Images
