About two-thirds of motorcycle crashes in North Carolina involve a car. In most of these crashes, who is at fault?
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A.
The driver of the car Correct
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B.
Road conditions, not either operator
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C.
The motorcycle rider
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D.
Fault is split evenly between the two
The answer is "The driver of the car"
The manual names the driver of the car as at fault in most of these crashes, and the driver usually claims they didn't see the motorcycle. Choice C is tempting for readers who carry the public stereotype of aggressive motorcycle riders and expect the rider to be blamed by default.
The traps in the wrong answers
B. Road conditions, not either operator
The manual names the driver of the car as at fault; it doesn't shift the cause onto the roadway. This answer defaults to blaming conditions the way crash reports list weather as a contributing factor, avoiding naming a driver.
C. The motorcycle rider
The manual assigns fault to the car driver in most of these crashes, not the rider. This answer reflects the public stereotype that motorcycle riders drive aggressively and so cause most crashes with cars.
D. Fault is split evenly between the two
The manual names one party at fault in most of these crashes; it doesn't describe fault as evenly shared. This answer applies a 'both drivers share blame' rule of thumb readers carry over from generic two-vehicle collision thinking.
This question tests your knowledge of Sharing the Road in North Carolina. Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, "Chapter 6, Sharing the Road, Motorcycles," p.93..
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