In heavy traffic, which of the following best describes how you should scan your surroundings?

Answer: C — Scan the area widely including side streets.

In heavy traffic, you must constantly scan a wide area to spot hazards coming from side streets and from other drivers. Looking beyond the vehicle in front lets you see cars changing lanes, cyclists or pedestrians near intersections, and potential openings or surprises from parked cars. This broad awareness helps you react in time, slow down, or change lanes safely instead of being caught off guard. It also pairs with quick mirror checks and a few shoulder checks to cover blind spots, keeping your head up and eyes moving through the surroundings as conditions change. Focusing only on the vehicle ahead, ignoring pedestrians, or limiting mirror use reduces your ability to foresee danger, which is why scanning the area widely including side streets is the best approach.