RTT Accidents and Emergency Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are riding and a bee flies into your helmet. The safest response is to:
- Slap your helmet with one hand while steering with the other
- Signal, pull over safely, stop, then remove your helmet (Correct answer)
- Accelerate quickly so wind forces the bee out
- Shake your head vigorously while maintaining speed
Correct answer: Signal, pull over safely, stop, then remove your helmet
Pulling off the road before dealing with the distraction prevents a crash caused by erratic movements or a sting reflex.
Question 2: Which type of intersection crash is the most common fatal scenario for motorcyclists in the US?
- Rear-end crashes from following too closely
- Left-turning vehicles striking oncoming motorcycles (Correct answer)
- Motorcycle striking a stopped vehicle from behind
- Sideswipe crashes on multilane roads
Correct answer: Left-turning vehicles striking oncoming motorcycles
According to NHTSA data, the most common fatal motorcycle crash involves a left-turning vehicle that fails to yield to an oncoming motorcycle.
Question 3: A passenger on your motorcycle is injured in a crash. When giving a statement to police, you should:
- Avoid mentioning the passenger to limit liability
- Provide accurate, factual information about the crash (Correct answer)
- Describe only the other driver's actions
- Refuse to speak until you consult an attorney, which delays EMS response
Correct answer: Provide accurate, factual information about the crash
Accurate statements help EMS understand the mechanism of injury and assist police in correctly documenting the crash.
Question 4: During emergency braking on a curve, the safest technique is to:
- Brake hard while leaned over to stop in the shortest distance
- Straighten the bike as much as possible before applying maximum braking (Correct answer)
- Apply only the rear brake throughout the curve
- Increase lean angle to use more tire contact patch
Correct answer: Straighten the bike as much as possible before applying maximum braking
Braking traction and cornering traction compete for the same tire grip, so straightening reduces lean and allows harder braking.
Question 5: If you must cross a slick surface (oil, wet paint) in an emergency, you should:
- Apply heavy braking just before the surface
- Minimize braking and steering inputs while crossing (Correct answer)
- Accelerate through to maintain gyroscopic stability
- Lean the bike aggressively to reduce contact area
Correct answer: Minimize braking and steering inputs while crossing
Any abrupt input on a slick surface drastically reduces traction; crossing smoothly with minimal input preserves what little grip exists.
Question 6: What information must you exchange at a crash scene with the other involved party under US law?
- Only insurance policy number
- Name, address, driver's license number, and insurance information (Correct answer)
- Vehicle identification number and license plate only
- Name and verbal agreement on fault
Correct answer: Name, address, driver's license number, and insurance information
All US states require exchange of name, address, license number, and proof of insurance after a crash involving property damage or injury.
Question 7: Hypothermia can impair a crash victim's ability to feel pain or assess their injuries. This means responders should:
- Assume the victim is uninjured if they report no pain
- Assume serious injuries may be present regardless of pain reports (Correct answer)
- Warm the victim rapidly with direct heat sources
- Ask the victim to move all limbs to prove no fractures
Correct answer: Assume serious injuries may be present regardless of pain reports
Cold reduces pain sensation, so absence of reported pain in a hypothermic crash victim cannot rule out serious injury.
RTT Accidents and Emergency Procedures 5
You are riding and a bee flies into your helmet.
The safest response is to: