Hazards & Road Surfaces

Study questions with answers

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

1. 1. The center of a lane is especially hazardous when wet because it:

   Correct answer: Holds a buildup of oil and grease

   Oil and grease collect in the center strip, making it slippery in the rain.

   Source: Ohio Motorcycle Operator Manual, Slippery Surfaces

2. 2. If you must ride over an obstacle you cannot avoid, approach it:

   Correct answer: At an angle as near to 90 degrees as you can

   Hitting an obstacle nearly head-on, at close to a right angle, reduces the chance it deflects your wheel.

   Source: Ohio Motorcycle Operator Manual, Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles

3. 3. If your motorcycle begins to wobble, you should:

   Correct answer: Hold the handlebars firmly and gradually roll off the throttle

   Do not fight or accelerate through a wobble; grip firmly and ease the throttle closed to slow, without braking.

   Source: Ohio Motorcycle Operator Manual, Wobble

4. 4. Most wobbles can be traced to:

   Correct answer: Poor loading, the wrong accessories, or tire pressure that is off

   A wobble usually stems from bad loading, poor accessories, or tire pressure that is set wrong.

   Source: Ohio Motorcycle Operator Manual, Wobble

5. 5. When you encounter a large animal such as a deer on the road, you should:

   Correct answer: Brake and prepare to stop, since they are unpredictable

   Large animals like deer or cattle are unpredictable, so brake and be ready to stop.

   Source: Ohio Motorcycle Operator Manual, Animals

6. 6. If you must cross a surface so slippery you have to travel at a walking pace, you should:

   Correct answer: Keep off the brakes, squeeze the clutch, and coast

   On extremely slick footing, coast slowly with the clutch in and stay off the brakes, feet ready to catch a fall.

   Source: Ohio Motorcycle Operator Manual, Slippery Surfaces

7. 7. At a blind intersection, you should move to the part of your lane that:

   Correct answer: Brings you into the other driver's view at the earliest moment

   Positioning where a cross-street driver can see you soonest improves your safety at a blind intersection.

   Source: Ohio Motorcycle Operator Manual, Blind Intersections

8. 8. The three steps of the SEE strategy stand for:

   Correct answer: Search, Evaluate, Execute

   SEE means Search, Evaluate, and Execute, a system for handling changing traffic.

   Source: Ohio Motorcycle Operator Manual, See (Search, Evaluate, Execute)

9. 9. Which of these offers poor traction, especially when wet?

   Correct answer: Painted lane lines, steel plates, and manhole covers

   Paint, steel plates, and manhole covers are slick, particularly when wet.

   Source: Ohio Motorcycle Operator Manual, Slippery Surfaces

10. 10. After riding over an object in the road, you should:

    Correct answer: Pull over and inspect the tires and rims for damage

    It is wise to stop and inspect the tires and rims for damage before continuing.

    Source: Ohio Motorcycle Operator Manual, Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles

11. 11. Usually the safest way to cross railroad or trolley tracks in your lane is to:

    Correct answer: Ride straight across within your lane

    Crossing tracks by riding straight within your lane is normally safest; turning to meet them head-on can carry you into another lane.

    Source: Ohio Motorcycle Operator Manual, Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracks and Pavement Seams

12. 12. If twisting it back and forth does not free a stuck throttle, you should:

    Correct answer: Hit the engine cut-off switch while squeezing the clutch

    A throttle that stays stuck calls for the kill switch and clutch to cut power to the rear wheel.

    Source: Ohio Motorcycle Operator Manual, Stuck Throttle