Which of the following is NOT a basic defensive driving

skill?

A. A solid grasp on the instruments and controls at your disposal.

B. The pre-drive procedures and adjustments to your ride.

C. Scanning for hazards and adequate space management.

D. The post-drive procedures and adjustments during your ride.

E. All of the above

The correct answer would be B on drivers ed.

I believe the best answer to be letter A) A solid grasp on the instruments and controls at your disposal.

Explanation:

We can reach the conclusion that letter A is the best option through elimination. First, let's keep in mind that the question asks for the one that is NOT a basic defensive driving skill. Letter E is already eliminated when we take a look at letter C. Scanning for hazards and adequate space management is certainly a most useful skill when it comes to driving. It prevents minor accidents that could very well turn into bigger ones. If you decide to change lanes without considering the amount of space between you and the cars at your front and back, you will end up crashing.

Letters B and D can surely be considered defensive driving skills. What many people don't understand is that defensive driving doesn't take place only during the action of driving. It begins before the action and proceeds till after it is done. Adjusting your mirrors, checking if the lights and turn signal are working, fastening the seat belt etc., are all measures to be taken prior to or after driving that make a huge difference and save lives.

Therefore, the only option that does NOT really seem to belong is letter A. Even though it seems weird not to have a solid grasp on the steering wheel, for instance, we must hold it firmly enough to not let it slip, but not so tightly that it will prevent us from quickly moving our hands when necessary. In case that explanation is not satisfactory, when we look up "defensive driving skills", we find references to all the other options except for this one. That's why I believe we can safely choose letter A.