California Car / Permit practice question · Safe Driving Practices
To drive safely, you should scan the road ahead by looking:
Answer choices
- Only at the vehicle directly in front of you
- At least 10 seconds ahead, keeping your eyes moving— Correct answer
- Only at your speedometer and mirrors
- As far as the horizon and nowhere else
Why this is the answer
To give yourself time to react and avoid last-minute moves, keep your eyes moving, looking down the road a minimum of 10 seconds ahead. Watching only the car in front of you shortens your reaction time, and fixing your gaze on the speedometer or mirrors means you miss hazards that are coming up.
Source: California Driver Handbook — Scanning
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
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