Safe Riding Practices and Hazard Awareness
Seeing and being seen
Hazard-awareness questions test the search–evaluate–execute habit: scan far ahead, identify escape routes, then act. Concepts to know: following distance (a minimum two-second gap in good conditions, more in rain or dark), lane position to stay out of blind spots, space cushions on all sides, and conspicuity - headlight on, bright gear, high-visibility lane position.
Reading other drivers
Assume you are invisible. Watch for left-turners crossing your path (the classic motorcycle crash), cars nosing out of driveways, and drivers pulling out after only a glance. Look for cues: front wheels turning, brake lights, drivers on phones. Expect questions on intersections, driveways, and parked cars (dooring and pull-outs).
Conditions and impairment
Rain, gravel, wet leaves, and metal grates reduce traction - reduce speed and increase gaps. Fatigue and alcohol are lethal on two wheels; even small amounts of alcohol impair balance and judgment. Expect trap answers that minimise risk ("just ride slower and you'll be fine") versus correct answers that say stop riding.
Worked rule of thumb
Two-second following rule: pick a fixed object (a sign). When the vehicle ahead passes it, count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two." If you reach the object before finishing, you're too close - back off. Double it in rain or at night.