Safe Driving Tips for Motorists
About half of all motorcycle crashes involve a collision with another vehicle. In many crashes, the driver never saw the motorcyclist - or didn't see him or her until it was too late. There are many reasons why other drivers do not see motorcyclists.
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Most car drivers aren't familiar with motorcycles, so they don't think to look for them in traffic.
- Motorcycle riders typically wear dark colors and can easily blend into the background and "disappear."
- Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles, so they are more difficult to spot in traffic and can be hidden by other vehicles or roadside features.
- Daytime headlight use does not give motorcycle riders much of an advantage anymore, due to the widespread use of daytime running lights on cars.
- The smaller size and single headlight on the motorcycle makes it more difficult for other drivers to judge a rider's speed and distance.
The Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center encourages everyone--car drivers and motorcyclists--to practice these techniques to make motorcycling safer for everyone.
1. WHEN TURNING LEFT Most crashes between cars and motorcycles involve turning left at an intersection. If you plan to cross traffic or turn left, please LOOK TWICE for motorcycles before you turn.
2. BLIND SPOTS Motorcycles are easily hidden in traffic. Always take a second look over your shoulder—don’t rely solely on your mirrors for information.
3. WEATHER Rain and sun glare can make a motorcycle invisible. Take an extra moment to make sure the way is clear.
4. SIGNALS Use turn signals to indicate your next move. This allows the rider to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.
5. LARGER VEHICLES Cars and trucks can conceal a motorcycle traveling behind it. Take an extra moment after a larger vehicle passes before you begin your turn behind it.
6. EYE CONTACT Motorcyclists make eye contact often to feel confident that other drivers see them. Please give a nod back to acknowledge them.
7. DISTANCE Motorcyclists prefer to use a large space cushion, allowing them more time to react. Please do not cut in front of a motorcycle and eliminate the safe following distance.
8. SIGNALS Most motorcycle turn signals do not cancel automatically. If you see a cycle coming, and the signal is flashing, please wait a moment for the cycle to pass.
Additional Safe Driving Tips
Watch aggressively for motorcycles.
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Search the traffic around you constantly and expect to see motorcycles.
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Check your blind spots before changing lanes or merging, especially in heavy traffic.
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Double-check traffic at intersections before you turn or pull out.
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Motorcycles can easily be hidden in traffic. Look for a helmet above, tires below, or a shadow alongside a vehicle that you can't see around.
Anticipate hazards that may confront the motorcyclist and predict how the motorcyclist may react to the situation.
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Poor road conditions, bad weather, flying debris, oil slicks, and heavy traffic pose high risks for motorcyclists.
Allow a minimum two-second "space cushion" when following a motorcycle.
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Pick out a fixed object ahead of you. When the motorcycle passes the object, count off, "one thousand one, one thousand two." If you haven't passed the same object after two seconds, your following distance meets the two-second minimum.
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In poor driving conditions, at higher speeds and at night, use a four or five-second following distance to give the motorcyclist more space.
Watch out when turning left.
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Most crashes between cars and motorcycles involve turning left at an intersection. If you are preparing to cross traffic or turn left, take a second look for motorcycles.
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Because motorcycles are smaller than cars, it is harder to see them and more difficult to judge their approach speed in traffic.
Share the road.
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Do not drive your car in the same lane as a motorcycle. It is unsafe and illegal.
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Treat motorcyclists with the same respect and courtesy you afford to other motorists.
Observe and obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals.
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Failure to obey and yield the right-of-way can result in the death or serious injury of a motorcyclist.
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Stay focused on the driving task. Inattentive driving is a major cause of car-motorcycle crashes.
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Use turn signals to indicate your next move. This allows the motorcyclist anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.
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Remove all possible distractions that can interfere with the driver's attention, and remove any objects that may block the driver's view.
Looking Twice May Save A Life!Safe driving tips for motorists are available in a small, bookmark format perfect for distribution at work, school, or home. These items are free to Minnesota residents. Please contact pat.hahn@state.mn.us for more information.
Last Updated 7/29/2009
