RTT Defensive Riding & Hazard Awareness 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When riding through an intersection with a green light, a defensive rider should:
- Accelerate quickly to clear the intersection
- Cover the brakes and scan for crossing vehicles (Correct answer)
- Honk the horn to warn cross-traffic
- Move to the center lane for maximum visibility
Correct answer: Cover the brakes and scan for crossing vehicles
Even with a green light, covering the brakes and scanning for vehicles that may run the red light reduces reaction time.
Question 2: Which road surface condition poses the GREATEST skid risk for motorcycles?
- Dry asphalt with minor cracks
- Painted lane markings when wet (Correct answer)
- Loose gravel on a straight road
- Compacted dirt on a sunny day
Correct answer: Painted lane markings when wet
Wet painted lane markings become extremely slippery and have caused many motorcycle crashes.
Question 3: A vehicle ahead of you suddenly slows. You are following at a safe distance. Your FIRST action should be:
- Swerve into the adjacent lane immediately
- Apply brakes smoothly and progressively (Correct answer)
- Flash your high beam to warn traffic behind you
- Downshift to engine-brake before touching the brake lever
Correct answer: Apply brakes smoothly and progressively
Smooth, progressive braking is the safest first response to a sudden slow-down, preserving stability and tire grip.
Question 4: When riding behind a large truck, you should increase your following distance primarily because:
- Trucks accelerate faster and will pull away
- Your view of road hazards ahead is blocked (Correct answer)
- Wind turbulence requires more steering effort
- Truck exhaust fumes impair your concentration
Correct answer: Your view of road hazards ahead is blocked
Large trucks create large blind spots and block your view of traffic, signals, and road hazards ahead.
Question 5: You notice a car's front wheels are turned toward your lane while it is stopped at a side street. This indicates:
- The driver is waiting for you to pass safely
- The vehicle may pull into your path at any moment (Correct answer)
- The driver has already seen you and yielded
- The car is parked and poses no threat
Correct answer: The vehicle may pull into your path at any moment
Turned front wheels are a strong sign the driver intends to turn, and may do so without waiting for you to pass.
Question 6: In which situation is target fixation most likely to cause a crash?
- Riding in a straight line on a highway
- Approaching a pothole or obstacle in a curve (Correct answer)
- Overtaking a slow-moving vehicle
- Stopping at a controlled intersection
Correct answer: Approaching a pothole or obstacle in a curve
Staring at an obstacle in a curve causes you to steer toward it; you must look through the curve to where you want to go.
Question 7: When should you use your motorcycle's horn as a defensive tool?
- To signal displeasure at aggressive drivers
- To alert a driver who appears about to merge into you (Correct answer)
- Whenever passing another vehicle on a two-lane road
- Continuously when riding through blind curves
Correct answer: To alert a driver who appears about to merge into you
The horn is a safety device to warn others of your presence when a collision is imminent or likely.
RTT Defensive Riding & Hazard Awareness 2
When riding through an intersection with a green light, a defensive rider should: