Which of the following commonly causes traffic accidents?
- Inattentive driving
- Excessive speed under the driving conditions
- Following other vehicles too closely
- All of the above ✓
Answer: D. All of the above
All of the above: inattentive driving, excessive speed for the driving conditions, and following other vehicles too closely commonly cause traffic accidents.
Why this is the answer
The handbook points to all three as crash risks. It says drivers must adjust speed and following distance for heavy traffic, bad weather, or low visibility to avoid crashes. It also tells you to slow down and increase following distance when roads are wet, crowded, or your view is limited. And it defines distractions as something that pulls a driver's attention away from the driving task. So inattentive driving, speed that is too high for conditions, and tailgating all fit the same safety message: manage attention, speed, and space.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Inattentive driving — Picking only inattentive driving is incomplete because the handbook also ties crash avoidance to adjusting speed and following distance for the conditions.
- B. Excessive speed under the driving conditions — Picking only excessive speed under the driving conditions leaves out attention and following distance, which the handbook also says must be managed to avoid crashes.
- C. Following other vehicles too closely — Picking only following other vehicles too closely ignores the handbook's warnings about attention to the driving task and speed that fits the conditions.
Remember it
Use a three-part check: keep your attention on the drive, match speed to conditions, and leave enough space ahead.