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Maryland driving lesson · Sharing the Road

Mopeds, scooters & driver-assist technology

A 3-minute lesson from the Maryland course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Sharing the Road
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
41, 42

Mopeds and scooters follow the same traffic laws you do but are hard to see. Driver-assist technology in newer cars helps prevent crashes, but it never takes over your responsibility.

Know the rule

Moped and motor scooter drivers must follow all traffic laws. Drivers of cars and trucks must always watch for them because their size makes them very difficult to see.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
50 mph or less

Posted speed limit of roads mopeds and scooters may be ridden on

Handbook p. 41 ↗

Mopeds and scooters may ride:

  • Side-by-side or alone
  • On the road or on the shoulder
Handbook p. 41 ↗

Know the rule

Mopeds and scooters should ride as close to the right side of the road as they safely can. Be especially careful around them at intersections and on narrow roads.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

ADAS

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: features such as Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assistance and Blind Spot Warning that use sensors and cameras.

Handbook p. 42 ↗
40%

Share of crashes ADAS prevents when used properly

Handbook p. 42 ↗

ADAS helps with:

  • Staying in your lane
  • Reducing blind spots
  • Keeping a safe distance
  • Avoiding crashes
  • Parking
Handbook p. 42 ↗

Know the rule

Do not rely on ADAS to fully operate your vehicle. You are responsible for safe operation at all times, including checking mirrors and cameras.

Handbook p. 42 ↗

Be aware that ADAS:

  • May not work properly in rain, snow, fog, on hills, and around curves
  • Responds differently from one vehicle to another; even dashboard icons differ
  • Has many names that don't always describe what it does
Handbook p. 42 ↗

Always:

  • Keep sensors clean and damage-free
  • Keep software up to date and follow the manufacturer
  • Learn each vehicle's technology from its manual or dealer
Handbook p. 42 ↗

Put it into practice

Your rental car has lane keeping assist. On a snowy, curvy road it stops correcting. That's a known limit: keep both hands on the wheel and drive as if the system weren't there.

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 maximum posted speed limit for a road on which mopeds and scooters may ride?
  1. 35 miles per hour or less
  2. 50 miles per hour or less
  3. 65 miles per hour or less
  4. 25 miles per hour or less

Answer: 50 miles per hour or less

Mopeds and scooters may be ridden on any road with a posted maximum speed limit of 50 mph or less.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
Where should mopeds and scooters generally ride on the road?
  1. In the center of the travel lane at all times
  2. Only on the shoulder, never on the road
  3. As close to the right side as they safely can
  4. In the leftmost lane

Answer: As close to the right side as they safely can

Mopeds and scooters should ride as close to the right side of the road as they safely can.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
When used properly, what percentage of crashes can ADAS technologies help prevent?
  1. 40%
  2. 10%
  3. 75%
  4. 90%

Answer: 40%

The handbook states that ADAS technologies, when used properly, prevent 40% of crashes.

Handbook p. 42 ↗
Even with ADAS technology in your vehicle, who is responsible for safe operation?
  1. The vehicle manufacturer
  2. You, the driver, at all times
  3. The ADAS system itself
  4. No one; the technology takes over full responsibility

Answer: You, the driver, at all times

You are responsible for the safe operation of your vehicle at all times, even with ADAS assistance.

Handbook p. 42 ↗
In what conditions might ADAS technology have limitations, according to the handbook?
  1. Only on interstate highways
  2. Only at night
  3. Rain, snow, fog, hills, and curves
  4. Only in stop-and-go traffic

Answer: Rain, snow, fog, hills, and curves

ADAS technology may not work properly in rain, snow, fog, on hills, or around curves.

Handbook p. 42 ↗
Mopeds and scooters may only ride alone, never side-by-side.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Mopeds and scooters may ride side-by-side or alone.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
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