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Motorcycle · Avoiding Hazards

How should a rider cross railroad tracks or other surface hazards that run parallel or at an angle to the path of travel?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Cross as close to a 90-degree angle as is practical and safe, maintaining a steady speed, rather than swerving sharply

  1. A Cross as close to a 90-degree angle as is practical and safe, maintaining a steady speed, rather than swerving sharply
  2. B Stop on the tracks to check both directions
  3. C Cross only in the dark
  4. D Cross at a sharp angle while braking

Why this is the answer

When crossing railroad tracks, seams, or grooves, the rider should aim to cross at an angle as close to perpendicular (90 degrees) as practical so the tires meet the hazard squarely and are less likely to get caught or deflected in a groove. It is generally not necessary to make an extreme turn to cross exactly at 90 degrees — a moderate angle while maintaining a steady, controlled speed is fine and safer than a sudden swerve. Keep a firm grip, stay relaxed, and avoid hard braking on the slippery surface. The goal is to prevent the front tire from sliding along or dropping into a groove.
Source: MSF Basic RiderCourse, Surface Hazards

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About this topic: Avoiding Hazards

Avoiding hazards questions cover scanning (SEE: search, evaluate, execute), lane positioning, following distance, road-surface hazards, intersections and the blind spots of other vehicles. This is one of 13 Motorcycle questions on avoiding hazards, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our Motorcycle exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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