Speed & Space Management

Study questions with answers

12 sample Speed & Space Management questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. In normal traffic, what is the smallest following distance a rider should keep behind the vehicle ahead?

   Correct answer: At least four seconds

   Because a motorcycle needs about as much room to stop as a car, keep at least a four-second gap behind the vehicle you are following.

   Source: PA Motorcycle Operator Manual (PUB 147) — Keeping Your Distance: Following Another Vehicle

2. 2. The 'Execute' step of the SEE strategy involves:

   Correct answer: Communicating, adjusting speed, and adjusting your position

   Carry out your decision by communicating your presence with lights or horn, adjusting your speed, and adjusting your position or direction to create space.

   Source: PA Motorcycle Operator Manual (PUB 147) — SEE: Execute

3. 3. In high-risk areas such as intersections, covering the clutch and both brakes:

   Correct answer: Reduces the time you need to react

   Covering the clutch lever and both brakes shortens the time you need to react if something goes wrong.

   Source: PA Motorcycle Operator Manual (PUB 147) — SEE

4. 4. You are riding directly beside a car in the next lane. What should you do?

   Correct answer: Speed up or drop back to a clear spot

   You may be sitting in the car's blind spot, and it blocks your escape route, so speed up or drop back to find a spot clear of traffic on both sides.

   Source: PA Motorcycle Operator Manual (PUB 147) — Keeping Your Distance: Cars Alongside

5. 5. To be most visible when riding behind a car, you should generally ride in the:

   Correct answer: Center portion of the lane

   Riding in the center portion of the lane puts your image in the middle of the driver's rearview mirror, where they are most likely to see you.

   Source: PA Motorcycle Operator Manual (PUB 147) — Keeping Your Distance: Following Another Vehicle

6. 6. How many separate paths of travel does each traffic lane offer a motorcyclist?

   Correct answer: Three

   A motorcycle is narrow enough that each lane gives it three usable paths of travel, letting you shift position to see, be seen, and avoid hazards.

   Source: PA Motorcycle Operator Manual (PUB 147) — Keeping Your Distance: Lane Positions

7. 7. When no traffic is present, a good line through a curve is to start at the outside because it:

   Correct answer: Improves your view and widens the turn's radius

   Starting at the outside of the curve increases your line of sight and the effective radius of the turn; you then move toward the inside and back out to exit.

   Source: PA Motorcycle Operator Manual (PUB 147) — Crash Avoidance: Cornering

8. 8. A car is merging onto the highway from an entrance ramp. You should:

   Correct answer: Give them room by changing lanes or adjusting your speed

   Merging drivers may not see you, so give them room by changing to another lane if one is open, or adjust your speed to open a gap for them.

   Source: PA Motorcycle Operator Manual (PUB 147) — Keeping Your Distance: Merging Cars

9. 9. If vehicles are traveling on both sides of you, which lane position is usually best?

   Correct answer: The center portion of the lane

   When traffic is on both sides, the center path of the lane is generally your best option for keeping a space cushion.

   Source: PA Motorcycle Operator Manual (PUB 147) — Keeping Your Distance: Lane Positions

10. 10. In which situation should you open up a following distance of five seconds or more?

    Correct answer: When the pavement is wet or you cannot see past the vehicle ahead

    Add extra space when the road is slippery, when you cannot see past the vehicle ahead, or when traffic is heavy enough that someone might squeeze in.

    Source: PA Motorcycle Operator Manual (PUB 147) — Keeping Your Distance: Following Another Vehicle

11. 11. In the 'Evaluate' step of SEE, you should:

    Correct answer: Anticipate how hazards could interact and leave time to react

    Think about how the hazards you found could interact to create risk, anticipate problems, and leave yourself enough time and space to react.

    Source: PA Motorcycle Operator Manual (PUB 147) — SEE: Evaluate

12. 12. A driver is tailgating you closely. A good way to handle it is to:

    Correct answer: Change lanes to let them pass, or slow and open space ahead

    Encourage the tailgater to pass by changing lanes to let them by, or slow down and open extra space ahead so there is room for both of you to stop.

    Source: PA Motorcycle Operator Manual (PUB 147) — Keeping Your Distance: Being Followed