In what situation might speeding up be the right collision-avoidance response?
-
A.
When you are about to be hit from the side or behind and there is room ahead. Correct
-
B.
When the vehicle ahead of you stops suddenly in your lane.
-
C.
When another vehicle is about to pass you on the left.
-
D.
When you are about to be hit from behind, even if the lane ahead is blocked.
The answer is "When you are about to be hit from the side or behind and there is room ahead."
The manual lists three collision-avoidance options: stopping quickly, turning quickly, and speeding up. Speeding up is the right call only in a narrow case: another vehicle is about to hit you from the side or from behind, and there is room ahead of you to get out of danger. The rule is conditional on having a clear path forward. If the path is blocked, accelerating makes things worse; if the path is clear, accelerating out of the way is the safest move.
The traps in the wrong answers
B. When the vehicle ahead of you stops suddenly in your lane.
A hazard in front of you calls for stopping quickly if you have the distance, or turning quickly away from it. Speeding up requires room ahead to escape into; a stopped vehicle ahead is the opposite of room ahead. Misreading: Applies the speeding-up option to a hazard in front of you. The manual ties speeding up to a threat from the side or behind with room ahead; a sudden stop ahead calls for stopping quickly or turning away.
C. When another vehicle is about to pass you on the left.
When another driver passes you, stay to the right and let them complete the pass. Being passed is not a collision threat that calls for accelerating. Misreading: Treats being passed as a collision threat. The manual's speeding-up case requires a vehicle about to hit you from the side or behind; the passing rule directs you to stay right and let the pass finish, not to accelerate.
D. When you are about to be hit from behind, even if the lane ahead is blocked.
The rear threat alone is not enough. Speeding up works only when there is room ahead of you to get out of danger; with the path blocked, accelerating trades one collision for another, and turning quickly is the escape that fits. Misreading: Keeps the manual's trigger (a vehicle about to hit you from behind) but drops its second condition, that there must be room ahead of you to get out of danger.
This question tests your knowledge of Emergencies in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Avoiding a Collision," p.74..
Related Oregon questions
- According to the Oregon handbook, what THREE actions can a driver take to avoid or minimize the impact of a collision? →
- What's the FIRST thing to do if your vehicle drifts off the road in Oregon? →
- An oncoming vehicle is drifting into your lane on an Oregon two-lane road. What does the handbook recommend? →
- You hit and injure a domestic animal while driving in Oregon. What must you do? →
- A person riding on horseback on an Oregon road raises a hand as you approach. What must you do? →
The Oregon book is on the way
Drop your email and we'll send the free Oregon cheat sheet now, plus a note the moment the book is available.