You are approaching an intersection on a main road, and the intersection is blocked with traffic. You should…?
- Proceed slowly into the intersection until the traffic ahead moves on
- Stop before entering the intersection and wait until traffic ahead moves on ✓
- Sound your horn to warn cars ahead to move on
- Keep as close as possible to the car ahead
Answer: B. Stop before entering the intersection and wait until traffic ahead moves on
Stop before you enter the intersection and wait until the traffic ahead has moved on.
Why this is the answer
The handbook's rule for entering an intersection is to scan first and not move forward until you know the intersection is clear. When traffic is already backed up into the crossing, there is no clear space for your vehicle, so the safe move is to hold back at the edge and wait. Moving in anyway would leave you sitting in the middle of the intersection, in the way of cross traffic and pedestrians once the light changes. Wait until there is room on the far side before you commit.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Proceed slowly into the intersection until the traffic ahead moves on — Creeping in puts you in the middle of an intersection you cannot clear, which is the opposite of the handbook's advice to make sure it is clear before moving forward.
- C. Sound your horn to warn cars ahead to move on — The handbook never treats the horn as a way to push blocked traffic out of your path, and honking does nothing to create space for your vehicle.
- D. Keep as close as possible to the car ahead — Following closely behind the car ahead gives you even less room and less view, while the handbook says to check your mirrors and make sure you have a clear view before going ahead.
Remember it
Ask yourself one question before you move: is there room on the far side for my whole car?