Defensive driving and road rage

Key points

1. Defensive driving means staying aware, planning ahead, expecting dangers and acting so you hit nothing.

   Source: Handbook p. 93

   ““Defensive Driving” means being constantly aware of the driving conditions, planning ahead, anticipating dangers and taking the right action so as not to come in contact with any obstacle or other vehicle.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 93

2. Drivers gather 90% of their information about the road through their eyes.

   Source: Handbook p. 93

   “When driving, we gather 90% of the information about the road and our surroundings through our eyes.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 93

3. Look 10 to 15 seconds ahead, about 1 city block.

   Source: Handbook p. 93

   “Defensive drivers try to focus their eyes 10 to 15 seconds (about the distance of 1 city block) ahead.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 93

4. Check your rearview mirror about every 10 seconds.

   Source: Handbook p. 93

   “Use your rearview mirror to check the traffic behind you frequently, about every 10 seconds.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 93

5. At an intersection, look left first, since cars from the left are closer.

   Source: Handbook p. 93

   “At any intersection, look to the left first, since cars coming from the left will be closer to you.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 93

6. You need a gap of at least 4 seconds to change lanes, enter a roadway or merge.

   Source: Handbook p. 94

   “A minimum four-second gap is needed whenever you change lanes, enter a roadway or when your lane merges with another traffic lane.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 94

7. At 55 mph you need about 10 seconds to pass a single vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 94

   “At 55 M.P.H. you will need about ten (10) seconds to complete the pass of a single vehicle.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 94

8. If tailgated, move right if you can; otherwise slowly reduce speed when passing is legal so they drive around you.

   Source: Handbook p. 94

   “If there is a right lane, move over to the right. If there is no right lane, wait until the road ahead is clear and passing is legal, then slowly reduce your speed. This will encourage the tailgater to drive around you.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 94

9. Never slow down quickly to discourage a tailgater.

   Source: Handbook p. 94

   “Never slow down quickly to discourage a tailgater.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 94

10. Give an angry driver plenty of space and do not join the confrontation.

    Source: Handbook p. 95

    “Don’t join in the confrontation, even if it is just honking or glaring. • Don’t tailgate • Drive defensively • Give an angry driver plenty space.”
    Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 95

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Tennessee practice test

1. 1. A driver is being followed too closely on a road with a right lane. What is the safer response?

   1. Move over to the right and let the following driver pass
   2. Accelerate beyond the speed limit to create distance
   3. Block both lanes until the other driver stops
   4. Brake sharply to make the other driver back away
   Show answer

   Move over to the right and let the following driver pass. When a tailgater is behind you and a right lane is available, move over so that driver can pass. Sharp braking increases the chance of being struck from behind, while speeding creates a separate violation and may not solve the conflict. Blocking lanes turns another driver’s poor judgment into a confrontation. Keep your own speed controlled, signal early, and create room for the impatient vehicle to go around legally.

2. 2. An angry driver is honking and making hostile gestures. Which action best reduces the danger?

   1. Tailgate the vehicle so it cannot move ahead
   2. Join the confrontation by gesturing back
   3. Give the angry driver plenty of space and avoid joining in
   4. Race the driver to the next intersection
   Show answer

   Give the angry driver plenty of space and avoid joining in. Road rage can turn a minor traffic problem into a dangerous encounter. The manual advises drivers not to join the confrontation, even through honking or glaring, and to give an angry driver plenty of space. Gestures, tailgating, and racing communicate escalation rather than control. Keep attention on escape space, maintain a lawful speed, and let the aggressive driver get farther away instead of trying to teach a lesson.

3. 3. Why should a driver maintain a space cushion around the vehicle?

   1. It guarantees that the vehicle ahead cannot change lanes
   2. It permits the driver to ignore the posted speed limit
   3. It provides room and time to brake or avoid hazards
   4. It allows the driver to use a phone without distraction
   Show answer

   It provides room and time to brake or avoid hazards. A space cushion gives a driver more time to see and react when another driver makes a mistake or a hazard develops. Following closely blocks the view of traffic and road conditions and leaves less room for braking. The cushion does not control the vehicle ahead, excuse speeding, or make phone use safe. The practical cue is to increase the gap whenever speed, weather, visibility, or traffic makes stopping more difficult.

Source: the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Chapter C-1: Defensive Driving and Other Precautions. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.