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Difficulty: MediumSpace to the Sides

On a multilane highway, commercial motor vehicle operators should avoid traveling directly alongside other vehicles whenever possible, because another motorist may suddenly change lanes without looking or become trapped alongside the commercial vehicle.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True. Commercial motor vehicle operators must avoid driving alongside other vehicles to minimize sideswipe risk and preserve lateral escape paths.
The statement is true because defensive driving regulations require commercial operators to keep space on both sides whenever possible. Driving alongside another vehicle restricts evasive maneuvers and increases collision risk if the other motorist makes an unannounced lane change.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary defensive driving objective regarding lateral space cushions on multilane roadways.
Commercial drivers must maintain open space on both sides of the vehicle to maximize visibility and reaction margins.
Commercial vehicles occupy a large portion of the lane width and possess extensive blind spots.
2
Analyze the specific hazards created when traveling directly alongside other motorists.
Adjacent motorists may drift, change lanes without checking blind spots, or be unable to swerve around lane hazards without colliding with the commercial vehicle.
Traveling side-by-side eliminates the lateral escape route for both drivers.
3
Determine the proper driver action and evaluate the statement's validity.
Drivers should proactively adjust speed—either dropping back or safely moving ahead—to stay clear of adjacent traffic clusters.
The statement accurately reflects standard CDL lateral space management rules.

Key Concept

Maintaining lateral clearance and avoiding side-by-side travel clusters on multilane roadways
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Space to the Sides

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