TIPS TO EVEN YOUR ODDS

MOTORIST TIPS

When a car and a motorcycle are forced to matchup against each other, the motorist has a slight advantage.

This does not mean that there is any less reason to remain cautious and responsible. Below are a list of tips for motorists to be aware of when on the road with motorcycle riders.

• Motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway.
• Allow the motorcyclist a full lane width. Although it may seem as though there is enough room in the traffic lane for an automobile and a motorcycle, remember the motorcycle needs the room to maneuver safely. Do not share the lane.

Motorcycles are small and may be difficult to see.

Motorcycles have a much smaller profile than vehicles, which can make it more difficult to judge the speed and distance of an approaching motorcycle.

• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. This allows the motorcyclist to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.
• Remember that motorcyclists are often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their smaller size. Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.
• Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle - motorcycle signals usually are not self-cancelling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed.
• Road conditions which are minor annoyances to you pose major hazards to motorcyclists. Motorcyclists may change speed or adjust their position within a lane suddenly in reaction to road and traffic conditions such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad crossings, and grooved pavement.
• Allow more following distance, three or four seconds, following a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. In dry conditions motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.

MOTORCYCLIST TIPS

One of the main reasons motorcyclists are killed in crashes is because the motorcycle itself provides virtually no protection in a crash.

Although motorcycles are agile and maneuverable, they have far less weight and bulk than automobiles and bear the brunt of most collisions.

Motorcyclists should follow these tips for a safe ride:

• Attend a motorcycle rider-training course to learn how to safely and skillfully operate a motorcycle.
• Follow the speed limit and obey all rules of the road.
• Be more careful and aware at intersections, where most motorcycle -vehicle collisions occur.
• Remain visible to other motorists at all times. Don't ride in a car's "No Zone" (blind spot).
• Be more cautious when riding in inclement weather, on slippery surfaces, or when encountering obstacles on the roadway.
• Wear protective gear. Motorcyclists and their passengers should never ride without a certified motorcycle helmet and eye protection. Helmets should have a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) label. Wearing a helmet, along with eye protection and protective clothing, can reduce the severity of injury in case of a crash.
• Never ride impaired. Approximately half of all fatal single-vehicle motorcycle crashes involve alcohol. A motorcycle requires more skill and coordination to operate than a car. Riding a motorcycle while under the influence of any amount of alcohol significantly decreases an operator's ability to operate the motorcycle safely.