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Quiz: Are You a Defensive Driver?

Take this quiz to find out how much you know about the rules of the road

By

John R. Quain,

 
AARP
Published April 11, 2011
/ Updated April 12, 2024
a blurry windshield covered in rain with a in front with its brakes on
Getty Images

Driving defensively means staying alert and being ready to expect the unexpected. But there's plenty that has changed about the rules of the road since most of us passed our first driver's test. Brush up on your defensive driving smarts with this 10-question quiz.

Question 1 of 10

Roundabouts are found to result in _____ crashes than traditional intersections?

Roundabouts — also known as traffic circles — result in slower speeds and fewer crashes, especially fewer right-angle and head-on crashes that often result in injuries or even deaths, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Federal Highway Administration.

Question 2 of 10

How much room should there be between your chest and the steering wheel?

Position your seat to keep at least 10 inches between your chest and the center of the steering wheel, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) This is to help protect you in case of an airbag deployment and creates an optimal driving position (arms extended, elbows slightly bent).

Question 3 of 10

When driving, how much distance should you keep between your car and the vehicle in front of you?

A 3-second following distance (or more!) will help you spot possible driving hazards and give you time to react, says the National Safety Council. If it is raining or conditions are slippery, add even more time.

Question 4 of 10

When backing up your car and it has a rearview camera, what should you do?

Even if your car has a rearview camera, you should walk around your vehicle before you get in and start reversing because the camera can miss something. While backing up, monitor the camera and continue to glance in your side mirrors, Garmin says. 

Question 5 of 10

While waiting to turn left at an intersection, your wheels should be pointed …

At an intersection while waiting to turn left, point your wheels straight ahead. This way, if you are struck from behind, your car won’t move into oncoming traffic, says the New York Department of Motor Vehicles.

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Question 6 of 10

Which of the following is a false statement about making a left-hand turn at an intersection?

When making a left turn, look in all directions and scan around your vehicle for potential obstacles, such as pedestrians, bicyclists or other vehicles, says the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Question 7 of 10

Which of the following is a false statement about blind spots?

All vehicles — including high-tech ones — have blind spots, according to the I Drive Safely driving school. Trucks can have particularly dangerous blind spots, according to the USDOT.

Question 8 of 10

When two or more drivers arrive at the same time at an intersection with a four-way stop, who has the right-of-way to proceed first?

If you are stopped at a stop sign and you are going to go straight through the intersection and another driver is stopped at the cross street on your right, you must yield the right-of-way to the other driver, according to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles.  

Question 9 of 10

Older drivers are typically safe, cautious drivers, but they’re not perfect. What is the most common traffic violation committed by drivers 65+?

Failure to yield the proper right-of-way is the most common traffic violation in crashes involving older drivers, according to the IIHS.

Question 10 of 10

Which of the following types of medications are potentially dangerous in a driving situation?

To help avoid drug-impaired driving, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and be aware of how your body feels or reacts to the drugs and supplements you are taking, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

You have unanswered questions. Please go back and complete those questions to finish the quiz.

Take the AARP Smart Driver online course and you could receive a discount on your car insurance!

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