Attitude

What is the main purpose of defensive driving?

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

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?

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

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
• BChase them to teach them a lesson
• CAssume they didn't see you and be prepared to take avoiding action✓
• DShout at them from your window

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'?

• ADriving slowly regardless of the speed limit
• BBeing aware of their needs and not causing them inconvenience, difficulty, or danger✓
• CNever driving during busy times
• 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?

• ABrake suddenly to teach them a lesson
• BIncrease your speed to get away from them
• CMaintain a steady speed and allow them to pass✓
• DSound your horn repeatedly

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?

• ALet them do whatever they want
• BTell them to be quiet immediately and aggressively
• CPolitely but firmly tell them not to distract you, as it could cause an accident✓
• DPretend they're not there

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?

• AThey're not in your path so ignore them
• BAssume they may step into the road without warning and be ready to stop✓
• CSound your horn to warn them away
• DMaintain maximum speed

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's optional if you're an experienced driver
• BIt only applies to learner drivers
• CIt must be followed at all times because it's designed to keep everyone safe✓
• DYou can ignore it in quiet areas

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.