What should you do to anticipate hazards while driving?

• A. Only check mirrors occasionally.
• B. Continuously sweep your eyes, check mirrors, and look ahead several seconds to anticipate hazards.
• C. Focus on the vehicle directly in front and ignore others.
• D. Keep your eyes on the road ahead without scanning.

Answer: (B)

Anticipating hazards comes from active scene scanning, not tunnel vision. Continuously sweeping your eyes, checking mirrors, and looking ahead several seconds gives you a broad and timely view of what could become dangerous. The ongoing eye sweep helps you notice vehicles changing lanes, pedestrians stepping into crosswalks, or debris and changing road conditions in advance. Checking mirrors keeps you aware of what’s happening behind and in adjacent lanes, so you’re not surprised by a driver who might brake suddenly or a vehicle that could drift into your path. Looking ahead several seconds creates a mental forecast of traffic flow and potential conflicts, giving you time to slow down, adjust position, or stop if needed.

Relying on only occasional mirror checks misses quick changes in the scene; focusing solely on the car directly in front narrows your awareness and can leave you blind to hazards from other directions; keeping your eyes on the road ahead without scanning prevents early detection of evolving problems. By integrating these scanning habits, you build enough lead time to respond safely.