Which of the following is the LEAST safe thing to do when attempting to avoid a collision on a two lane road?
- Move into the left lane. ✓
- Remove your foot from the accelerator.
- Slow down and keep to the right
- Apply the brakes as firmly as you can without locking them.
Answer: A. Move into the left lane.
The least safe choice is to move into the left lane, because on a two-lane road that lane carries oncoming traffic.
Why this is the answer
The handbook's guidance for a two-lane road is to stay fairly close to the centre line so other vehicles do not move into your lane space. That tells you the lane on the other side of the centre line belongs to traffic coming toward you. Steering into it to dodge a problem puts you head-on into oncoming vehicles. The other choices keep you in your own lane and reduce speed, which matches the handbook idea of leaving yourself room to avoid trouble without crossing into someone else's space.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Remove your foot from the accelerator. — Taking your foot off the accelerator is a reasonable first step because it starts slowing the vehicle while you keep steering control in your own lane.
- C. Slow down and keep to the right — Slowing down and keeping to the right keeps you in your lane and away from oncoming traffic, so it fits the handbook advice about lane position on a two-lane road.
- D. Apply the brakes as firmly as you can without locking them. — Braking firmly without locking the wheels is a normal way to shed speed quickly while staying in control and in your own lane.
Remember it
On a two-lane road, the lane left of the centre line is someone else's lane, so treat it as a wall, not an escape route.