MSF 16th Edition, Operator'S Manual

Page: 18 / 60

18 ridewithinyourabilities
Being Passed
When you are being passed from
behind, stay in the center portion of
your lane. Riding close to the passing
vehicle could put you in a hazardous
situation.
Avoid being hit by:
• The other vehicle
— A slight
mistake by you or the passing driver
could cause a sideswipe.
• Extended mirrors
— Some drivers
forget that their mirrors hang out
farther than their fenders.
• Objects thrown from windows
— Even if the driver knows you’re
there, a passenger may not see you
and might toss something on you or
the road ahead of you.
• Blasts of wind from larger
vehicles — They can affect your
control. You have more room for
error if you are in the middle portion
when hit by this blast than if you
are on either side of the lane.
Do not move into the portion of the
lane farthest from the passing vehicle. It
might invite the other driver to cut back
into your lane too early.
Lane Sharing
Cars and motorcycles need a full lane
to operate safely. Lane sharing is usually
prohibited.
Riding between rows of stopped or
moving cars in the same lane can leave
you vulnerable to the unexpected. A
hand could come out of a window;
a door could open; a car could turn
suddenly. Discourage lane sharing by
others. Keep a center-portion position
whenever drivers might be tempted
to squeeze by you. Drivers are most
tempted to do this:
• In heavy,
bumper-to-bumper
traffic.
• When they want to pass you.
• When you are preparing to turn at
an intersection.
• When you
are moving into an exit
lane or leaving a highway.
Usually, a good way to handle
tailgaters is to:
A. Change lanes and let them pass.
B. Use your horn and make
obscene gestures.
C. Speed up to put distance
between you and the tailgater.
D. Ignore them.
testyourself 4
Answer - page 47
beingPassed