Attitude

What is the main purpose of defensive driving?

• ATo drive aggressively to warn others
• BTo anticipate and avoid hazards by assuming other drivers may not follow the rules✓
• CTo avoid using mirrors
• DTo drive faster than other vehicles

Answer: Defensive driving means anticipating hazards and being prepared for others' mistakes, which prevents accidents. This attitude keeps you safe regardless of how others drive.

You're driving behind someone going very slowly. What should you be aware of?

• AThey may be looking for a turning, lost, or elderly and you should be patient✓
• BYou should immediately overtake
• CYou should flash your headlights to tell them to speed up
• DYou should sound your horn continuously

Answer: Patience is important because the slow driver may be elderly, unfamiliar with the route, or looking for a turning. Flashing lights or honking is aggressive and may distract them, making them more likely to stop suddenly.

What attitude should you adopt when another driver makes a mistake?

• AImmediately flash your lights and sound your horn
• BShout at them from your window
• CAssume they didn't see you and be prepared to take avoiding action✓
• DChase them to teach them a lesson

Answer: Assuming they didn't see you and being prepared to avoid is the safe, defensive approach. Retaliation, chasing, or aggressive signalling escalates danger and is not your responsibility to "teach" other drivers.

A young child runs out in front of your car. What is the most important attitude to have?

• AThink about the inconvenience to your journey
• BThink only about avoiding damage to your vehicle
• CThink immediately of the child's safety above all else✓
• DAssume the parent will stop them

Answer: The child's safety must be your absolute priority over all other considerations including vehicle damage or journey delays. This attitude guides you to brake hard and take all necessary evasive action.

What does it mean to drive with 'consideration for other road users'?

• AStaying off the road at busy times
• BDriving slowly regardless of the speed limit
• CBeing aware of their needs and not causing them inconvenience, difficulty, or danger✓
• DAlways letting other vehicles pass first

Answer: Consideration means being mindful of how your driving affects others—not blocking, not spraying water, giving space—without necessarily going against traffic rules. It's about courtesy balanced with safe road use.

Someone is tailgating you closely (driving too close behind). What should you do?

• AIncrease your speed to get away from them
• BSound your horn repeatedly
• CBrake suddenly to teach them a lesson
• DMaintain a steady speed and allow them to pass✓

Answer: Maintaining steady speed and allowing them to pass is safe and doesn't escalate the situation. Braking suddenly or speeding up are dangerous and may provoke more aggressive behaviour.

You're late for an important appointment. How should this affect your driving?

• AYou should drive faster and ignore speed limits
• BIt should not affect your driving—safety remains the priority✓
• CYou should tailgate slower vehicles
• DYou should run red lights if the road looks clear

Answer: No circumstance justifies unsafe driving. Being late never justifies speeding, ignoring signals, or tailgating. Arriving safely, even late, is always better than arriving early in an accident.

What attitude should you have toward passengers who distract you while driving?

• ATell them to be quiet immediately and aggressively
• BPolitely but firmly tell them not to distract you, as it could cause an accident✓
• CPretend they're not there
• DLet them do whatever they want

Answer: Calmly and firmly setting boundaries with passengers is professional and safe. Ignoring distractions is unsafe; being aggressive to passengers is rude and itself distracting.

You notice pedestrians on the pavement up ahead. What attitude should guide your approach?

• AMaintain maximum speed
• BThey are on the pavement and not in your path, so you can carry on at the same speed
• CSound your horn to warn them away
• DAssume they may step into the road without warning and be ready to stop✓

Answer: Pedestrians, especially children or elderly, may not see you and could step into the road. Being prepared to stop is the safest defensive attitude toward people who are unpredictable in their movements.

What should your attitude be toward following the Highway Code?

• AIt only applies to learner drivers and stops applying on the day you pass the test
• BIt must be followed at all times because it's designed to keep everyone safe✓
• CYou can ignore it in quiet areas
• DIt is optional for anyone who has held a full driving licence for more than three years

Answer: The Highway Code is law and safety guidance that applies to all drivers at all times. No experience level or traffic conditions exempt you from following these rules designed to prevent accidents.