Hazards, Emergencies, and Crash Avoidance
Hazards, Emergencies, and Crash Avoidance
This domain tests how you read the road surface, handle rain and debris, and respond when something goes wrong. The exam expects smooth, early corrections rather than sudden moves.
Surface hazards
Sand, gravel, oil, wet paint, metal grates, and potholes reduce traction. Cross a hazard as upright as possible, at a steady speed, with minimal lean. Avoid braking on painted arrows, crosswalk stripes, or manhole covers when wet. If you must ride over gravel, keep the throttle steady and let the bike move; do not grab the front brake.
Rain and visibility
Guam's heavy rain can cut visibility quickly. Reduce speed, increase following distance, and use smooth control inputs. Rain gear with a clear face shield helps; fogging is a hazard, so use vents or an anti-fog treatment. Avoid puddles that may hide potholes. Test brakes gently after riding through water.
Animals and debris
If an animal runs out, slow and stay straight rather than swerving into traffic. For debris, look for an escape path before swerving. A blind swerve is often worse than a straight-line brake.
Mechanical emergencies
For a tire blowout, hold the bars firmly, roll off the throttle, and brake gently; do not grab the front brake. For a stuck throttle, pull the clutch, hit the engine cut-off, and brake. For a wobble, grip the bars, roll off, and avoid hard braking.
Worked example
Rain begins as you approach a painted stop bar. You need to stop. Reasoning: painted markings are slick when wet, and hard braking on them can lock the front wheel. The correct response is to begin braking earlier, before the paint, with progressive pressure, and to keep the bike straight. Do not wait until the last meter.
Traps
- Grabbing the front brake on sand or wet paint.
- Swerving without checking the escape path.
- Speeding up to "get through" a pothole.
- Holding the throttle open during a stuck-throttle event.
- Looking at the hazard instead of the path around it.