Published: August 17, 2008 12:26 am            

Cars, trucks and motorcycles

Cars and trucks far outnumber motorcycles on the roadways. No matter what type of vehicle you’re driving, everyone needs to follow the rules of the road and watch out for other vehicles. But, drivers of cars and trucks often don’t recognize or see motorcycles. Because of their smaller size, motorcycles may present special concerns for motorists.

To help motorists better understand the need to share the road with motorcyclists, here are some safety tips from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF-USA):

• Motorcycles may look farther away than they really are. When preparing to make a turn, assume that the motorcycle is closer than it appears.

• Take extra caution in checking blind spots, as a motorcycle may be hidden from sight by the body of your car or masked by objects such as bushes, fences and bridges.

• Motorcycles may appear to be going faster than the rest of the traffic, but don’t assume every motorcyclist is a speed demon.

• Motorcyclists can slow down without activating the brake light. Turn signals may not cancel after a turn. Allow greater distance between your car and a motorcycle for stopping and don’t assume turn signals mean they are going to turn again.

• Motorcyclists often adjust their position in a lane so they can be seen more easily, avoid debris or minimize the effects of passing vehicles. Don’t assume that this adjustment is a reckless maneuver.

Although motorcycles have greater maneuverability than cars and trucks, don’t expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way or be able to stop on a dime. Continually scan the road in front of you for all types of vehicles and allow more following distance behind a motorcycle, for your safety and that of the motorcyclist.

        

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