Safe Driving Practices

Study questions with answers

12 sample Safe Driving Practices questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. Why should tinted eye protection be avoided at night?

   Correct answer: It cuts down the little light available at night

   Tinted shields or glasses should not be worn at night or whenever light is low because they reduce the little available light even further.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Wear the Right Gear: Eye and Face Protection

2. 2. What kind of footwear does the manual recommend for riding?

   Correct answer: Sturdy boots above the ankles with non-slip soles

   Boots should be sturdy, rise above the ankles, have low heels and hard non-slip soles, and support you when you put a foot down at a stop.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Wear the Right Gear: Personal Protective Equipment

3. 3. Is a windshield an acceptable substitute for a face shield or goggles?

   Correct answer: No; most windshields won't protect your eyes

   A windshield is not a substitute for eye protection because most windshields won't protect your eyes from the wind.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Wear the Right Gear: Eye and Face Protection

4. 4. How far ahead does the manual advise a rider to scan their path of travel?

   Correct answer: About 12 seconds ahead

   Scanning your path of travel about 12 seconds ahead helps you spot and separate hazards before they become emergencies.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Know Your Responsibilities

5. 5. What do the three letters in the SEE riding strategy stand for?

   Correct answer: Search, Evaluate, Execute

   SEE stands for Search, Evaluate, and Execute, a process good riders use to judge traffic situations and act correctly.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — SEE

6. 6. Compared with unhelmeted riders, how much more likely are helmeted riders to survive head injuries?

   Correct answer: Three times as likely

   No matter the speed, riders in a helmet are about three times as likely to survive a serious head injury compared with those who go without one.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Wear the Right Gear: Helmet Use

7. 7. In the Evaluate step of SEE, which hazards are considered more critical?

   Correct answer: Vehicles moving into your path

   A vehicle crossing toward your path is a bigger concern than one drifting away or sitting still, so you judge each hazard's speed, distance, and direction.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — SEE: Evaluate

8. 8. According to the manual, what color of clothing gives you the best chance of being seen?

   Correct answer: Bright, reflective colors

   Because most crashes happen in daylight, bright orange, red, yellow, or green gear, ideally reflective, gives you the best chance of being seen.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Increasing Conspicuity: Clothing

9. 9. Which quality should a properly chosen helmet have?

   Correct answer: A snug fit with no defects

   A good helmet meets DOT standards, fits snugly all the way around, and has no cracks, loose padding, or frayed straps.

   Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Wear the Right Gear: Helmet Selection

10. 10. About how often do motorcycle crashes result in a head or neck injury?

    Correct answer: About one in five crashes

    Roughly one out of every five motorcycle crashes produces head or neck injuries, which is why a certified helmet matters so much.

    Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Wear the Right Gear: Helmet Use

11. 11. The claim that a DOT-certified helmet blocks a rider's view to the sides is best described as what?

    Correct answer: A myth; a helmet still lets you see to the sides

    A review of more than 900 crashes turned up no instance where headgear stopped a rider from noticing a hazard; a proper helmet still lets you see to the sides.

    Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Wear the Right Gear: Helmet Use

12. 12. How fast are most riders traveling when a crash occurs?

    Correct answer: Slower than 30 mph

    Most riders are going slower than 30 mph when a crash happens, and at those speeds helmets cut head-injury number and severity by half.

    Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual (DL-001) — Wear the Right Gear: Helmet Use