Roadwise States Arkansas Driving lessons Sharing the road with motorcycles Arkansas driving lesson · Sharing the Road
Sharing the road with motorcycles A 3-minute lesson from the Arkansas course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Sharing the Road
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 81, 82 Motorcyclists are far more likely to be hurt in a crash, and drivers often simply don't see them. Most car–motorcycle crashes happen when a car turns in front of a rider.
Over ⅔ Share of car/motorcycle crashes caused by a car driver turning in front of the motorcyclist
Handbook p. 81 ↗ Why drivers miss motorcyclists: Many drivers look for other cars, not motorcycles A motorcycle's small profile makes it harder to see Its distance and speed are harder to judge than a car's Riders change lane position often to adjust to road conditions Handbook p. 81 ↗ Over 40% Motorcycle crashes that happen at intersections; nearly 60% of those are caused by another vehicle turning left in front of the rider
Handbook p. 81 ↗ When crashes are most likely: Left turns: a car turns in front of the motorcycle (failure to yield) Lane changes: the rider is hidden in a blind spot or missed in a quick look Hazardous roads: potholes, gravel, railroad crossings and wet surfaces make riders change speed or position Strong winds: a gust, even from a passing truck, can push a motorcycle across a whole lane Large vehicles: a van, bus or truck can hide a motorcycle until it appears suddenly Handbook p. 81 ↗ Know the rule
Look twice for motorcycles before turning at an intersection, especially when turning left, even if you don't see any cars coming.
Handbook p. 81 ↗ Know the rule
Always signal before changing lanes or merging, even if you don't see anyone, so riders can find a safe lane position.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ Know the rule
Don't trust a motorcycle's flashing turn signal: they don't cancel automatically and riders forget them. Wait to see if the motorcycle actually turns.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ Know the rule
A motorcycle is entitled to a full lane width. Never try to share a lane with a motorcycle.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ Know the rule
In dry conditions a motorcycle can stop more quickly than a car, which is one more reason to leave extra space.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ Put it into practice
You're waiting to turn left and see only a car in the distance. Before turning, look a second time. A motorcycle may be hidden right behind the car or in the shadow of a truck, closer and faster than it seems.
A useful reminder Follow a motorcycle by at least 4 to 6 seconds, not the 2 seconds you'd use for a car.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What is the most common type of crash between a car and a motorcycle? A motorcycle rear-ending a car A motorcycle passing on the right A car turning left in front of the motorcycle A car changing lanes into the motorcycle Answer: A car turning left in front of the motorcycle
Failure to yield, especially a car turning left in front of a motorcycle, is the most common crash type.
Handbook p. 81 ↗ About what percent of motorcycle crashes occur at intersections? Under 10 percent About 20 percent Nearly 90 percent Over 40 percent Answer: Over 40 percent
Over 40 percent of all motorcycle crashes occur at intersections.
Handbook p. 81 ↗ Of motorcycle crashes at intersections, about what percent were caused by another vehicle turning left in front of the rider? Nearly 60 percent About 10 percent About 25 percent Nearly 100 percent Answer: Nearly 60 percent
Nearly 60 percent of intersection motorcycle crashes were caused by another vehicle turning left in front of the rider.
Handbook p. 81 ↗ How much lane width should a motorcycle be given? Half a lane A full lane Just enough to share with a car Two-thirds of a lane Answer: A full lane
A motorcycle is entitled to a full lane; drivers should not try to share the lane with a rider.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ How many seconds of following distance should you allow behind a motorcycle? 1 to 2 seconds 2 to 3 seconds 4 to 6 seconds 8 to 10 seconds Answer: 4 to 6 seconds
Allow at least four to six seconds of following distance behind a motorcycle.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ Motorcycle turn signals automatically cancel after a turn, just like most cars. True False Answer: False
Motorcycle signals don't automatically cancel, so a blinking signal may not mean the rider is actually turning.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ Previous lesson Sharing the road with bicycles Next lesson Vision & hearing About the source Roadwise’s Arkansas course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 81, 82. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check Arkansas’s DFA. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.