To warn drivers that you are slowing down in an unusual place, you should
- swerve from side to side.
- shift gears instead of braking.
- flash your brake light. ✓
- rise slightly off your seat.
Answer: C. flash your brake light.
Tap the brake pedal lightly to flash your brake light before you slow down.
Why this is the answer
The motorcycle handbook says to tap the brake pedal lightly so your brake light flashes before you slow. That warns drivers behind you that you are about to slow down. It matters most when someone is following too closely, when you are turning tightly off a high-speed road, or when you are slowing or turning where others may not expect it. The handbook also notes that gearing down does not activate the brake light, so using the brake light is the warning method it describes.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. swerve from side to side. — Swerving from side to side is not the warning method described in the handbook and does not use the brake light to tell drivers behind you that you are slowing.
- B. shift gears instead of braking. — Shifting gears instead of braking does not activate the brake light, so drivers behind you get no brake-light warning.
- D. rise slightly off your seat. — Rising slightly off your seat is not mentioned as a warning signal; the handbook points to flashing the brake light instead.
Remember it
Let your brake light speak for you before a slow-down that could catch someone behind you off guard.
Official handbook: Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook, Communicating with other drivers