Alberta Motor Association (AMA) Learner’s Practice Exam 2025 - Free Learner's Practice Questions and Study Guide

In urban areas, scanning ahead for about 12-15 seconds is crucial for maintaining safety and making informed driving decisions. This time frame allows you to accurately assess the environment around you, including the behavior of pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. By keeping your focus within this range, you can identify potential hazards and react in a timely manner, which is especially important in areas with higher foot traffic and frequent stops.

Scanning too far ahead, such as 15-20 seconds or beyond, may lead to missed immediate dangers that require your attention, such as a car suddenly braking or a pedestrian stepping into crosswalks. Similarly, scanning for a shorter duration might not provide enough time to plan your maneuvers or respond to unexpected changes in traffic. Thus, the 12-15 seconds timeframe strikes a balance, enabling you to remain alert without losing focus on the critical elements in your immediate driving environment.