MSF - Motorcycle Safety Foundation Street Strategies (SEE) Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When applying the "Search" component of the SEE strategy in an urban environment, what is the minimum visual lead time the MSF recommends a rider should maintain?
- 2-4 seconds, to focus on the vehicle immediately ahead.
- 5-7 seconds, to check one or two car lengths ahead.
- 12-15 seconds, to identify hazards well in advance. (Correct answer)
- 20-30 seconds, which is reserved for open highway speeds.
Correct answer: 12-15 seconds, to identify hazards well in advance.
The MSF recommends searching 12-15 seconds ahead, which in a city environment is roughly one to two blocks. This lead time allows a rider to see and identify potential hazards, such as intersections, merging traffic, or pedestrians, early enough to react smoothly.
Question 2: A rider is approaching an intersection and sees a car on a side street waiting to pull out. The driver appears to be looking in the rider's direction. Which of the following best represents the "Evaluate" step in the SEE strategy?
- Executing an immediate lane change to go around the potential path of the car.
- Assuming the driver sees the motorcycle and maintaining current speed and lane position.
- Noticing the car and the driver's head position as part of a 360-degree scan.
- Predicting the driver might not see them or could misjudge their speed, and preparing for a potential conflict. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Predicting the driver might not see them or could misjudge their speed, and preparing for a potential conflict.
The "Evaluate" phase involves assessing potential threats and predicting worst-case scenarios. Even if a driver appears to make eye contact, a rider must evaluate the possibility that they have not been seen or that the driver will act unpredictably. This mental preparation is key to reducing risk before any action is taken.
Question 3: Which of the following actions is a primary example of the "Execute" phase of the SEE strategy?
- Noticing a group of children playing on a sidewalk ahead.
- Adjusting lane position to create more space away from a potential hazard. (Correct answer)
- Considering that one of the children might chase a ball into the street.
- Identifying an empty adjacent lane as a possible escape path.
Correct answer: Adjusting lane position to create more space away from a potential hazard.
"Execute" is the physical action taken based on the rider's assessment. After Searching (noticing the children) and Evaluating (considering the risk and identifying an escape path), the rider Executes by physically moving the motorcycle to a safer lane position to maximize their space cushion.
Question 4: While riding, you observe a car in the lane ahead begin to drift toward the shoulder. Using the SEE strategy, what should your evaluation of this situation primarily focus on?
- The make and model of the drifting vehicle.
- The reason for the driver's behavior, such as texting or fatigue.
- The potential for the vehicle to make a sudden, unpredictable move and your available space cushion. (Correct answer)
- The posted speed limit on this section of the road.
Correct answer: The potential for the vehicle to make a sudden, unpredictable move and your available space cushion.
In the "Evaluate" step, the specific reason for a hazard is less important than understanding its potential impact on you. The key evaluation is to recognize the instability of the other vehicle, predict it could swerve or correct suddenly, and assess your own time and space (space cushion) to react safely.
Question 5: The primary goal of the SEE (Search, Evaluate, Execute) strategy is to:
- Ensure the motorcycle is always in the correct gear for any situation.
- Allow the rider to react to emergencies instinctively without thinking.
- Help a rider create and maintain time and space by managing risk proactively. (Correct answer)
- Document traffic violations committed by other drivers for later reporting.
Correct answer: Help a rider create and maintain time and space by managing risk proactively.
SEE is a proactive risk-management strategy. Its purpose is to help riders actively manage their surroundings to maintain a sufficient safety margin (time and space), which helps prevent emergencies from occurring in the first place, rather than just reacting to them.
Question 6: You are riding on a two-lane road and find yourself following a large truck that blocks your view of the road ahead. Applying the full SEE strategy, what is the MOST appropriate response?
- Execute a pass immediately by moving into the oncoming lane.
- Search for the truck's turn signals, evaluate if it is slowing, and execute a stop if its brake lights come on.
- Search for hazards (like the blocked view), evaluate the risk of an unseen obstacle, and execute by increasing your following distance to improve your sightline. (Correct answer)
- Evaluate that your speed is too low and execute by moving closer to the truck to encourage the driver to speed up.
Correct answer: Search for hazards (like the blocked view), evaluate the risk of an unseen obstacle, and execute by increasing your following distance to improve your sightline.
This sequence correctly applies the SEE strategy. First, Search and identify the hazard (blocked view). Second, Evaluate the associated risk (you cannot see what's ahead). Third, Execute the safest action, which is to drop back. Increasing your following distance opens up your field of vision around the truck and gives you more time to react to any hazards that may appear.
MSF - Motorcycle Safety Foundation Street Strategies (SEE) Questions and Answers
When applying the "Search" component of the SEE strategy in an urban environment, what is the minimum visual lead time the MSF recommends a rider should maintain?