Stay alert looking ahead — Arkansas Permit Test

The study guide names inattention as the leading cause of car crashes.

Most crashes are not bad luck; they happen because a driver was not watching when something changed.

The leading cause of car crashes is inattention.

When driving in the city, look down the road at least 1 city block ahead.

Seeing a block ahead gives you time to spot a stopped car or a turning bus before you are on top of it.

To avoid last-minute braking or the need to turn from interstate or highway, you should look down the road at least one (1) city block, when driving in the city or one-quarter mile when driving on highways and interstates.

When driving on highways and interstates, look down the road at least one-quarter mile ahead.

At highway speed you cover ground fast, so you need to see trouble much farther off to brake or move over in time.

To avoid last-minute braking or the need to turn from interstate or highway, you should look down the road at least one (1) city block, when driving in the city or one-quarter mile when driving on highways and interstates.

You should be looking at least 15 seconds ahead.

Looking far enough ahead turns a sudden emergency into something you saw coming and could ease around.

You should be looking at least fifteen (15) seconds ahead.

To check how far ahead you are looking, find a stationary object near the road, such as a sign or telephone pole, and count the seconds until you reach it.

Counting to a fixed point turns a vague sense of distance into a number you can check and improve.

Find a stationary object (sign or telephone pole) near the road.

What does the study guide name as the leading cause of car crashes?

Inattention. Most crashes are not bad luck; they happen because a driver was not watching when something changed. Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, p.48: “The leading cause of car crashes is inattention.”