Traffic Interaction: Following Distance, Passing, and Being Seen
What this domain tests
This domain tests following distance, legal and safe passing, and the visibility habits that keep a small vehicle from disappearing in traffic.
Following distance
Use at least a two-second gap in good conditions, and treat that as a minimum. In rain, at night, behind a truck, or when the road surface is poor, extend to three or four seconds. Following too closely removes the time needed to see and react to a pothole, a sudden stop, or a debris field. A rider should be able to see the rear tires of the vehicle ahead; if not, the gap is too small.
Passing
Pass only where allowed and only when you can see enough clear road. Check mirrors, signal, and make a head check before changing position. Avoid passing at intersections, on curves, and near hill crests. Do not pass on the right unless traffic is lawfully moving in separated lanes. When passing a truck, move through its blind spot promptly rather than lingering alongside.
Being seen
Ride with the headlight on, wear high-contrast gear, and use lane position to stay out of blind spots. Signal before every lane change and turn, and cancel the signal afterward. Make eye contact with drivers where possible, but do not treat it as proof they will yield. A motorcycle's narrow profile makes speed and distance hard for drivers to judge.
Worked example
A rider follows a box truck at one second because traffic is slow. The truck brakes for a hidden pothole, and the rider has no room. The correct response is to drop back to at least three seconds, move to a lane position where the truck's mirrors are visible, and look for the hazard before it reaches the truck.
Traps
Riding in a blind spot, passing on the right, assuming a turn signal means a driver has seen you, and forgetting to cancel a signal after a lane change.