A driver operating a passenger vehicle in the center lane of a multi-lane roadway intends to change lanes to the left. The driver looks at the interior rearview mirror and left exterior side mirror, both of which show no approaching traffic. However, a compact motorcycle is traveling parallel to the vehicle near its left-rear quarter panel. Why is the motorcycle absent from both mirror views, and what mandatory procedure must the driver perform to identify it before executing the lane change?
- The motorcycle is positioned in the vehicle's left-rear blind spot which mirrors cannot display; the driver must perform a physical chin-to-shoulder head check over the left shoulder.Answer
- BThe motorcycle is obscured by convex lens distortion in the side mirror; the driver should lean forward against the steering wheel to adjust the mirror view angle instead of turning their head.
- CThe motorcycle is invisible because it is traveling at the driver's exact speed; the driver should accelerate rapidly to force any hidden vehicle into the side mirror's field of view.
- DThe motorcycle is outside the normal lane flow; the driver should rely exclusively on the interior rearview mirror while monitoring the instrument cluster for blind-spot sensor alerts.
Answer
The motorcycle is positioned in the vehicle's left-rear blind spot which mirrors cannot display; the driver must perform a physical chin-to-shoulder head check over the left shoulder.
Every vehicle has blind spots—areas around the rear quarter panels that cannot be seen in the interior rearview mirror or exterior side mirrors. Small vehicles such as motorcycles fit entirely within these blind spot areas. Therefore, a driver must perform a physical chin-to-shoulder head check toward the intended lane to ensure the space is clear before changing lanes.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Spatial Awareness and Blind Spot Verification