You want to back out of your driveway. You see children playing nearby. Before you start to move your car, you should:
Rev your engine to warn the children that you are moving.
Sound your horn so the children will hear you.
Walk to the back of the car to be sure the way is clear.
Tell the children to stay away from the driveway.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is “Walk to the back of the car to be sure the way is clear.”
Explanation:
When backing out of a driveway, safety is the primary concern, especially when children are playing nearby. Children may not always be aware of your actions, and they may not hear or recognize a revving engine or a horn. Walking to the back of the car ensures that you have a clear and unobstructed view of the area behind you, allowing you to identify any hazards or obstacles (such as children, pets, or objects) before you start moving.
Here are the reasons why other options are not as effective:
- Revving your engine to warn the children: This is not a reliable method for warning children. The sound of a revving engine may not be enough to get their attention, and they may not associate it with the car starting to move. Additionally, children can be easily distracted and may not be paying attention to the sounds around them.
- Sounding your horn: While sounding the horn could alert someone nearby, it’s not an ideal strategy in this situation. Horns are often used to warn of imminent danger, but children may not understand the purpose of the sound or may be too involved in their play to react in time. Furthermore, honking the horn can sometimes startle children, causing unpredictable reactions.
- Telling the children to stay away from the driveway: While it’s important to instruct children to stay clear of the driveway, they may not always listen or may not be aware of the potential dangers. Additionally, verbal commands do not ensure that the area is clear of children or objects that might be in your path.
By walking to the back of the car, you take a proactive approach, ensuring that you can see the full area behind you and confirm it is safe before you start moving. This method helps prevent accidents and is a key practice in defensive driving.