Which of the following is a key element of dangerous driving?

Driving through a built-up area at excessive speeds is a key element of dangerous driving because it significantly increases the risk of accidents and endangers the safety of pedestrians and other road users. Built-up areas typically have higher populations, more traffic, and often more complex road layouts, making excessive speeds particularly hazardous. This behavior demonstrates a disregard for road safety laws and the potential consequences of reckless driving, thereby classifying it as a serious offense under traffic regulations.

In contrast, driving at a moderate speed is generally safe and responsible, as it adheres to the limits intended to protect all road users. Driving through a pedestrian area can be inappropriate or illegal depending on circumstances and local laws, but it alone does not ensure a level of danger without the context of speed or reckless intent. Driving with headlights off at night is also dangerous, yet it does not inherently reflect a pattern of driving behavior categorized as "dangerous driving" compared to the implications of speeding through a built-up area.