What is a key mental principle of defensive driving?

• A. Drive as fast as possible to minimize time on the road.
• B. Scan for hazards, anticipate others' actions, and plan escape routes while maintaining space and speed control.
• C. Focus only on your own lane and speed.
• D. Ignore potential hazards until they are close.

Answer: (B)

Defensive driving is about staying ahead of potential problems by actively scanning the road, predicting how others might behave, and keeping space and speed under control. The best choice reflects this approach: you continually scan for hazards, anticipate others’ actions, and plan escape routes while maintaining a safe following distance and steady speed. This mindset gives you the time and space to react to surprises—like a car braking suddenly or a pedestrian stepping onto the roadway—without overreacting or taking unnecessary risks.

Driving as fast as possible reduces the time you have to react and increases both your risk and the severity of a crash. Focusing only on your own lane and speed ignores how other road users and conditions can affect you. Ignoring potential hazards until they’re close leaves you with little or no time to respond safely.