(content by Prince)
If there is one vehicle that most drivers get nervous sharing the road with, it’s motorcyclists. This is due to the fact that the outright lack of protection these drivers have is evident with one look.
No one wants to be involved in an accident that harms another human. To help motorcyclists stay safe on the road, other drivers can play a crucial part.
Here’s how:
1. Minimize Distractions
Distracted driving can be as dangerous as driving drunk, and when you add motorcycles to the mix, you have a recipe for disaster. Whether in the form of texting or talking, electronic devices take your attention off the road.
Even hands-free options can cause distractions. If you find yourself tempted to use your device while driving, you may need to keep it out of reach or get in the habit of enabling its do not disturb function before you begin driving.
2. Slow Down
Speed is a major factor in road accidents, but speed is especially dangerous in accidents involving motorcycles.
Motorcyclists have an inherently higher risk of death from accidents because motorcycles lack many of the protections that automobiles provide.
Further, air movement and weather conditions affect motorcyclists more intensely than they do automobiles.
Therefore, if you are sharing the road with motorcyclists, slow down. If you wind up in an accident, especially a fatal accident, you aren’t going to make it to your destination at all.
3. Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
Motorcycles can be hard to spot, so it’s important that you stay alert to the road around you.
Keeping your mirrors clean, your car free of clutter, and your radio volume at reasonable levels are just a few things that can help you keep your eyes and ears on your surroundings.
Alert passengers can also help you spot motorcycles that you might not otherwise see.
On the other hand, passengers who are loud, rowdy, or otherwise distracting can cause you to miss more than your exit.
It is wise to keep kids and pets secure in their own seats so that you can keep your eyes, ears, and mind on your surroundings.
4. Check Your Mirrors And Your Blind Spots
Every vehicle has blind spots, and while mirrors are helpful, they are not perfect.
It is important to always actively check your blind spots before changing lanes. Not all motorcycles are loud, rumbling beasts, neither are they all high buzzing crotch rockets.
You aren’t necessarily going to hear a biker around you. So check your mirrors frequently, and always check your blind spots!
5. Maintain Proper Positioning
If you’re a driver, you know how startling it is when the car beside you begins veering into your lane. Motorcyclists have far less protection than drivers do, so, as you can imagine, someone swerving in on them is far more alarming.
No matter who you’re sharing the road with, it’s vital to pick a lane and remain in it. Maintaining a proper distance is also important.
Judging the distance between your car and another car is far easier than judging the distance between your car and a motorcycle.
Automobiles have a wider body base and more rear lighting. This makes them far more visible than motorcycles.
Motorcycles, even the wider three-wheeled motorcycles, have a narrower lane presence, which can cause them to blend in with the vehicle ahead of them.
Motorcycles also have a higher chance of sliding out or losing control, especially for new riders or irresponsible riders. Therefore, it is crucial that you maintain an appropriate distance.
6. Practice Common Courtesy
Common courtesy, much like common sense, is not as common as its name might imply. It’s the rare person who hasn’t, at some point, forgotten to lower their high beams or indicate a turn before turning. It happens.
However, making a habit of these practices puts other drivers in an uncomfortable, if not outright dangerous position. Motorcyclists are particularly at risk because they are not easily seen.
Turn signals warn motorcyclists to give you extra room just in case you don’t see them.
7. Pay Attention At Intersections
Intersections are among the most dangerous parts of the road. Because motorcycles are less visible than other vehicles on the road it is far more likely for drivers to turn out in front of them.
That is why drivers must look carefully before turning in either direction. Failing to look for motorcyclists can have a disastrous outcome.
Conclusion
Motorcycles are everywhere. Accidents are real. They can happen to you.
To reduce your chances of having an accident with a motorcyclist, remember to minimize distractions, watch your speed, and be aware of your surroundings.
