Another vehicle is coming straight at you in your lane. According to the manual, what should you do first?
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A.
Slam on your brakes and hold the wheel steady
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B.
Flash your high beams and hold your position
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C.
Steer left across the centerline into the empty lane
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D.
Honk your horn to attract attention Correct
The answer is "Honk your horn to attract attention"
The manual tells you to honk your horn first to attract the other driver's attention, in case they have drifted or are not aware they are in your lane. If they do not move over, then try to escape to the right. Choice C follows the instinct to go where the other driver is not, missing that they are likely to swerve back into their own lane at the same moment.
The traps in the wrong answers
A. Slam on your brakes and hold the wheel steady
The manual saves firm braking for when a collision is unavoidable; the first step is to alert the other driver. This answer reaches for the brake reflex first, before trying to make the other driver aware they are in the wrong lane.
B. Flash your high beams and hold your position
The manual points to the horn, not the headlights, for this specific emergency, and holding your position gives up your escape. This answer mixes this with the guidance for oncoming drivers who leave their brights on and forgets the horn is faster and louder.
C. Steer left across the centerline into the empty lane
The manual warns against steering left, because if the other driver corrects at the last instant you will still crash into them. This answer follows the intuition to "go where they aren't," not realizing the other driver will likely swerve back into their own lane at the same moment.
This question tests your knowledge of Crash Procedures in Pennsylvania. Source: Pennsylvania Driver Manual, "IF ANOTHER VEHICLE IS APPROACHING HEAD-ON IN YOUR LANE," p.64..
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