Here are five quick tips from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation that all car and truck drivers should know:
1. Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.
2. Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don’t assume all motorcyclists are moving as fast as they look.
3. Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.
4. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle’s signal is for real.
5. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can’t always stop “on a dime.”
Just thought I’d throw this out there, considering the number of times I’ve heard people say, “I’m not afraid of riding… it’s the other drivers on the road that scare me!”.
The asshat that pulled out in front of us on our way home tonight should be forced to have these tips tattoo’d on his chest… backwards, so he can read it every time he looks in the mirror. We’ve been riding for twenty years now, and it never ceases to amaze me… people can be so oblivious to their surroundings when they’re driving.
My favorite helmet sticker? “Would you drive any better if that phone was up your ass?”
