RTT Dealing with Vulnerable Road Users 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary reason motorcycle riders are advised to avoid riding in a car's blind spot alongside a cyclist?
- Cyclists may swerve into you
- The car driver cannot see either the cyclist or you, increasing collision risk (Correct answer)
- Cyclists create wind turbulence for motorcycles
- Traffic laws prohibit it
Correct answer: The car driver cannot see either the cyclist or you, increasing collision risk
Remaining in a car's blind spot means the driver cannot see you or the cyclist, making it dangerous for all parties if the car changes lanes.
Question 2: When is a motorcyclist most at risk of hitting a pedestrian who steps off the curb unexpectedly?
- On a straight highway with good visibility
- At intersections and in urban areas with on-street parking (Correct answer)
- On rural roads with wide shoulders
- On elevated expressways
Correct answer: At intersections and in urban areas with on-street parking
Intersections and areas with parked cars are high-risk zones because pedestrians emerge suddenly from between vehicles.
Question 3: A horse and rider are traveling on the shoulder of a rural road. How should you approach?
- Pass quickly to minimize the time the horse is startled
- Slow down, give wide berth, and avoid sudden acceleration until well past (Correct answer)
- Sound your horn to alert the rider that you are approaching
- Maintain normal speed since horses are accustomed to traffic
Correct answer: Slow down, give wide berth, and avoid sudden acceleration until well past
Horses can spook suddenly at engine noise or quick movement; slow well in advance and accelerate only after you are safely past.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the 'dooring' hazard for motorcyclists riding near parked cars?
- Car doors create wind gusts that push motorcycles into traffic
- A parked car occupant opens a door into the motorcyclist's path (Correct answer)
- Car doors reflect glare that blinds approaching riders
- Parked car doors reduce lane width for other vehicles
Correct answer: A parked car occupant opens a door into the motorcyclist's path
Dooring occurs when a vehicle occupant opens a door into the path of an oncoming motorcycle, leaving no time to stop.
Question 5: When riding on a road shared with farm equipment moving at 15 mph, the safest approach is to:
- Pass immediately using the oncoming lane
- Follow at a safe distance until an overtaking opportunity with full visibility arises (Correct answer)
- Honk to prompt the equipment to pull over
- Ride alongside in the road shoulder
Correct answer: Follow at a safe distance until an overtaking opportunity with full visibility arises
Farm equipment is slow but wide; wait for a straight section with full visibility before overtaking, giving maximum clearance.
Question 6: A runner is approaching from the opposite direction on the road shoulder at dusk. What should you do?
- Flash your high beam to illuminate them and maintain speed
- Steer toward the center line and reduce speed as you pass (Correct answer)
- Sound your horn when you are 50 feet away
- Maintain speed since they are on the shoulder
Correct answer: Steer toward the center line and reduce speed as you pass
At dusk visibility is reduced; move slightly away from the shoulder and slow down to create a safe buffer when passing pedestrians.
Question 7: What should a motorcyclist do when approaching a bus stop where passengers may step into the street?
- Accelerate to pass before passengers alight
- Cover the brakes and slow down, scanning for pedestrians entering the roadway (Correct answer)
- Sound the horn continuously while passing
- Maintain speed but move to the left lane if open
Correct answer: Cover the brakes and slow down, scanning for pedestrians entering the roadway
Bus passengers frequently cross in front of or behind the bus without checking for motorcycles; slow and cover the brakes in anticipation.
RTT Dealing with Vulnerable Road Users 3
What is the primary reason motorcycle riders are advised to avoid riding in a car's blind spot alongside a cyclist?