Which is crucial in reducing the risk of accidents when riding near other vehicles?

Maintaining visibility is crucial in reducing the risk of accidents when riding near other vehicles because it enhances your ability to be seen by other drivers as well as your awareness of your surroundings. When you are more visible, it increases the likelihood that other motorists will notice you, which helps to avoid potential collisions. This can involve choosing positions on the road where you can be easily seen, ensuring your headlights are on, and wearing bright or reflective clothing.

While speed determination, wearing protective gear, and using hand signals are important aspects of safe riding, they do not directly address the critical need for visibility. Speed determination relates to how fast you should be going based on conditions, while wearing protective gear focuses on your safety in the event of an accident, and using hand signals primarily aids in communication with other road users. However, if other drivers cannot see you, the risk of an accident increases significantly, which makes maintaining visibility the key element in enhancing safety around other vehicles.