Key points
To avoid a right hook crash, slow and stay behind a bicyclist until they pass the point where you will turn.
Source: Handbook p. 99
“Avoid right-hook crashes by slowing and remaining behind the bicyclist until they ride past the point where you will turn.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 99About one half of all motorcycle crashes involve another motor vehicle.
Source: Handbook p. 103
“Approximately one-half of all motorcycle crashes involve another motor vehicle”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 103Motorcycles are entitled to the same full lane width as other vehicles.
Source: Handbook p. 103
“Motorcycles are entitled to the same full-lane width as all other motor vehicles.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 103Allow more than 3 seconds of following distance behind a motorcycle.
Source: Handbook p. 104
“Allow more than three (3) seconds following distance between your vehicle and the motorcycle.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 104If you cannot see a large vehicle's mirrors, its driver cannot see you.
Source: Handbook p. 105
“If you are following a large vehicle and you are unable to see the driver's mirrors, then the driver cannot see you.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 105A loaded truck at 55 mph on a dry road needs 450 feet to stop.
Source: Handbook p. 105
“it takes a loaded truck with properly adjusted brakes 450 feet to come to a complete stop when traveling 55 miles per hour on a dry road.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 105After passing a large vehicle, see its cab in your mirror before merging back.
Source: Handbook p. 105
“be sure you can see the cab of the large vehicle in your rear-view mirror before merging back into the lane.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 105Vehicles carrying hazardous materials must stop at all railroad crossings.
Source: Handbook p. 106
“All vehicles carrying hazardous materials must stop at all railroad crossings, so be prepared to stop if you are following one.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 106Following a pilot vehicle, increase your following distance.
Source: Handbook p. 106
“If you are following a pilot vehicle, increase your following distance.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 106
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 3 seconds | minimum following distance behind a motorcycle is more than this | Handbook p. 104 |
| 450 feet at 55 mph | stopping distance for a loaded truck | Handbook p. 105 |
3 questions from the Idaho practice test
1. You are turning right and a bicyclist is ahead of you. What is the safest way to avoid a right-hook crash?
- Accelerate past the bicyclist before reaching the intersection
- Slow down and remain behind the bicyclist until the bicyclist passes the turn point
- Move into the bike lane early and turn in front of the bicyclist
- Honk at the bicyclist, then turn as soon as the front wheel is beside you
Show answer
Slow down and remain behind the bicyclist until the bicyclist passes the turn point. A right turn across a bicyclist's path can produce a broadside right-hook crash. Idaho advises a driver not to assume the car can beat the bicyclist to the corner. Slow down and stay behind until the bicyclist has gone past the point where the turn will occur. Accelerating around the rider creates the exact conflict the guidance warns about. A horn may startle a bicyclist, and occupying a bike lane does not give permission to cut across someone already traveling there. Look, wait, then turn smoothly.
2. How far does a loaded truck at 55 mph need to stop on a dry road, according to the Idaho handbook?
- 100 feet
- 450 feet with properly adjusted brakes
- 200 feet
- 1,000 feet
Show answer
450 feet with properly adjusted brakes. It takes a loaded truck with properly adjusted brakes 450 feet to come to a complete stop when traveling 55 miles per hour on a dry road, so allow extra space for large vehicles to speed up or stop, never cut in front of one, and remember that sharp turns may require the truck to use more than one lane.
3. When following a pilot vehicle escorting a large load, what adjustment does the handbook recommend?
- Drive on the shoulder to give the large load more room
- Follow closely so other traffic cannot merge between you and the escort
- Pass the pilot vehicle immediately before it reaches a curve
- Increase your following distance and use extra caution when passing
Show answer
Increase your following distance and use extra caution when passing. Pilot vehicles warn traffic about a large load and help it navigate bridges, curves, and other hazards. A driver following the escort should increase the following distance, preserving time to react to a slow or wide movement. Passing immediately near a curve defeats the warning, and driving on the shoulder is not a substitute for lawful lane control. Following close to prevent merging also removes the space Idaho asks you to create. Treat the amber lights as an early cue to slow, observe the load's path, and wait for a safe opportunity.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with safe driving questions from the free Idaho practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Idaho Driver's Handbook, Sharing the Road. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.