Motorcycle Permit Practice Test

If a motorcycle hasn't triggered a light sensor at a traffic light, when is it safe to proceed?

1. After one light cycle

2. Immediately

3. After two light cycles

4. After checking with nearby vehicles

The correct answer is: After two light cycles

When a motorcycle does not trigger a light sensor at a traffic light, it is important to exercise caution and follow safe practices to ensure that you proceed correctly. Waiting after one light cycle may not give sufficient time to determine whether the light is malfunctioning or simply not detecting smaller vehicles like motorcycles. By waiting after two light cycles, a motorcyclist allows more time for the traffic signal to potentially change as it would for larger vehicles. This timeframe also gives the rider a better understanding of traffic patterns and ensures that they are not endangering themselves or others by proceeding too soon. Taking the approach of waiting after two light cycles reflects an understanding that while motorcycles are smaller and may not trigger certain sensors, safety and consideration for traffic laws are paramount. It also means that the rider is ensuring that it is indeed safe to proceed once the traffic has had the chance to clear or the light has cycled enough times to determine a pattern. In a situation where the light is clearly malfunctioning, checking with nearby vehicles might imply some form of informal agreement but does not guarantee that it is safe to proceed, making it less reliable. Therefore, waiting for two light cycles is the safest option when faced with this scenario.