RTT Traffic Laws & Road Safety Rules 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A motorcyclist is riding in heavy rain and the road surface becomes flooded. What should the rider do?
- Accelerate through the flood to minimize water contact
- Find an alternate route or wait for the water to recede (Correct answer)
- Ride through slowly in first gear
- Lean the motorcycle to one side to avoid deep water
Correct answer: Find an alternate route or wait for the water to recede
Flooded roads can hide debris, undercut pavement, and stall engines — riders should avoid flooded sections entirely and seek alternate routes.
Question 2: When a traffic officer's hand signals conflict with a traffic light, a motorcyclist should:
- Follow the traffic light since it is a permanent fixture
- Obey the traffic officer's signals (Correct answer)
- Stop and wait until the conflict is resolved
- Follow whichever instruction allows faster travel
Correct answer: Obey the traffic officer's signals
A traffic officer's manual signals always override traffic lights, signs, and other traffic control devices.
Question 3: Which of the following is a legal lane-sharing practice in California, the only US state that explicitly permits it?
- Lane splitting — riding between lanes of stopped or slow traffic (Correct answer)
- Lane filtering — passing all vehicles at a red light
- Shoulder riding — using the emergency shoulder as a travel lane
- Pavement sharing — riding two abreast with a car in the same lane
Correct answer: Lane splitting — riding between lanes of stopped or slow traffic
California law (CVC 21658.1) permits lane splitting, defined as riding between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of the 'search, evaluate, execute' (SEE) strategy for motorcyclists?
- To select the best route using GPS technology
- To systematically identify and respond to potential hazards (Correct answer)
- To evaluate weather conditions before riding
- To execute turns at the correct speed
Correct answer: To systematically identify and respond to potential hazards
The SEE strategy is a risk management framework taught by the MSF that helps riders identify hazards, assess their danger, and respond appropriately.
Question 5: Under US law, a motorcyclist involved in an accident must report it to authorities if it involves:
- Any damage whatsoever
- Injury, death, or property damage exceeding a state-defined threshold (Correct answer)
- Only fatalities
- Only injuries to other parties
Correct answer: Injury, death, or property damage exceeding a state-defined threshold
Most states require accident reporting when there is injury, death, or property damage exceeding a set dollar threshold (varies by state).
Question 6: A motorcyclist notices a large pothole in their path too late to stop. The best technique is to:
- Brake hard and steer sharply around it
- Straighten the motorcycle upright and roll through it at reduced speed (Correct answer)
- Lean into the pothole to absorb the impact
- Accelerate to jump over it
Correct answer: Straighten the motorcycle upright and roll through it at reduced speed
When unavoidable, riding through a pothole upright and with reduced speed minimizes the risk of losing control compared to braking or sharp steering.
Question 7: Which hand signal indicates a left turn when used by a motorcyclist?
- Left arm extended horizontally (Correct answer)
- Left arm bent upward at 90 degrees
- Right arm extended horizontally
- Left arm bent downward at 90 degrees
Correct answer: Left arm extended horizontally
A left arm extended straight out horizontally signals a left turn, a standard hand signal used when turn indicators are unavailable.
RTT Traffic Laws & Road Safety Rules 4
A motorcyclist is riding in heavy rain and the road surface becomes flooded.
What should the rider do?