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How often should you check your side mirrors while riding a motorcycle?

  1. Only at the start of your ride

  2. When you hear a honk

  3. Whenever you speed up

  4. Frequently

The correct answer is: Frequently

The correct answer emphasizes the importance of regularly checking side mirrors while riding a motorcycle. This practice is crucial for maintaining situational awareness and ensuring safety on the road. By frequently checking your side mirrors, you can stay informed about the positions of other vehicles surrounding you, which is vital for making safe decisions regarding lane changes, turns, and any potential hazards. This constant awareness also helps in anticipating the actions of other drivers, allowing you to react appropriately and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. It's a proactive approach that contributes to overall defensive riding. Some of the other choices suggest limited or situational use of mirrors which can lead to unsafe riding practices. Checking mirrors only at the start of a ride or when specific sounds, like honking, occur does not account for the dynamic nature of traffic conditions. Likewise, only checking mirrors when speeding up means you're neglecting important information that could affect your safety at other speeds too. Frequent mirror checks are a fundamental part of safe riding habits.