When you see brake lights ahead, you should:

When you see brake lights ahead, preparing to stop is the correct and safest response. Brake lights are activated when a vehicle is slowing down or coming to a stop, signaling to other drivers that they should also reduce their speed to avoid a collision. By preparing to stop, you ensure that you have adequate time to react, maintain a safe distance, and prevent potential rear-end accidents.

This response is crucial for safe driving, as sudden stops can take other drivers by surprise. Properly preparing to stop also allows for smoother traffic flow and helps maintain safety for everyone on the road. Scanning traffic conditions ahead and adjusting your speed in response to brake lights is a fundamental aspect of defensive driving, which emphasizes anticipating and responding to the actions of other drivers.