Which type of driving involves the continual assessment of traffic and surroundings while responding to an incident?

The correct choice in this scenario is emergency driving. This driving type requires officers to continuously assess traffic and their surroundings while responding to incidents with urgency. Emergency driving involves the use of lights and sirens to alert other road users, allowing the officer to navigate through traffic more effectively. The assessment of traffic conditions, weather, and road hazards is essential to ensure safety while moving swiftly towards an incident that requires immediate attention.

In contrast, non-emergency driving is typically characterized by a more cautious approach without the need for immediate response, and the driving isn't focused on rapidly navigating through traffic. Pursuits are specific situations involving high-speed chases where the focus is on tracking a suspect rather than conducting ongoing assessments of the traffic environment. Defensive driving, while involving awareness and anticipation to avoid accidents, does not specifically relate to responding to incidents as a police officer would need to do in an emergency context. Thus, emergency driving encompasses the critical features of continual assessment while responding to urgent calls for service.