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Motorcycle Safety Driving Tips
Follow these rules:
- Treat other motorists with courtesy and respect.
- Avoid tailgating.
- Avoid riding between lanes of slow moving or stopped traffic.
- Know and obey traffic laws, including ordinances in your community.
- Treat other motorists with courtesy and respect.
- Avoid tailgating.
- Avoid riding between lanes of slow moving or stopped traffic.
- Know and obey traffic laws, including ordinances in your community.
- Avoid excessive noise by leaving the stock muffler in place or using
a muffler of equivalent noise reduction.
- Use signals when appropriate.
Be Courteous:
The practices of some riders
are offensive to other motorists
(e.g., weaving in and out
of stalled traffic, riding on
shoulders). Being inconsiderate
of other motorists creates a
negative image for all riders,
and can cause crashes.
Drive Defensively:
Be especially alert at intersections because approximately 70
percent of motorcycle-vehicle collisions occur there! Watch for vehicles
that may unexpectedly turn in front of you or pull out from a side
street or driveway. At intersections where vision is limited by
shrubbery, parked vehicles, or buildings, slow down, make doubly sure of
traffic, and be prepared to react quickly.
Check the rearview mirrors before changing lanes or stopping. A quick stop
without checking rear traffic may result in a rear-end crash. When changing
lanes, use signals and make a visual check to assure that you can change
lanes safely.
Watch the road surface and traffic ahead to anticipate problems and road
hazards. Road hazards that are minor irritations for an automobile can be a
major hazard for a rider. Hazards include potholes, oil slicks, puddles,
debris or other objects on the roadway, ruts, uneven pavement, and railroad
tracks. Painted roadway markings and manhole covers can be extremely
slippery when wet. Go around most hazards. To do so safely, you must be able
to spot such hazards from a distance. Slow down before reaching the obstacle
and make sure you have enough room before changing direction. Railroad
tracks should be crossed at an angle as close to 90 degrees as possible.
Experienced motorcyclists often have this advice for new riders: "Assume
that you are invisible to other motorists and operate your motorcycle
accordingly." Position yourself to be seen. Ride in the portion of the lane
where it is most likely that you will be seen by other motorists. Avoid the
car's "No Zone" (i.e., blind spot). Use your headlights, day and night. All
motor vehicles have blind spots where other vehicles cannot be seen with
mirrors. These blind spots are to the left and right rear of the vehicle. Do
not linger in motorists' blind spot. Wear brightly colored, preferably
fluorescent, clothing. Use retro-reflective materials on clothing and
motorcycle, especially at night.
Maintain a safe speed consistent with driving conditions and your
capabilities. Gravel on the road and slippery road surfaces can be
hazardous. Avoid sudden braking or turning.
When riding in the rain, riders find they get better traction by driving in
the tracks of vehicles in front of them. But avoid following too closely,
and riding on painted lines and metal surfaces such as manhole covers
because they offer less traction. If caught in a sudden shower while riding,
pull off the highway under some shelter (e.g., overpass) and wait for the
rain to stop. If you must ride in the rain, remember that conditions are
most dangerous during the first few minutes of rainfall because of oil and
other automobile droppings on the roadway. If possible, sit out the
beginning of a rain shower.
Don't tailgate, and don't let other drivers tailgate you. Following too
closely behind another vehicle may make it difficult for you to brake
suddenly. Further, you won't have time to avoid road hazards and traffic
situations ahead. If another vehicle is following too closely, wave it off
with a hand signal or tap your brake pedal. If they continue to follow too
closely, change lanes or pull off the road, and let them pass.
Pass only when it is safe to do so. Do not pass or ride on the shoulder.
Pull over to the left third of the lane before passing and make sure that
you are at a safe following distance. Use turn signals, and avoid crowding
the other vehicle as you pass. Remember to make a head check before changing
lanes.
Use brakes wisely. Use both brakes together. Brake firmly and progressively
and bring the motorcycle upright before stopping. Remember that driving
through water can adversely affect the brakes. After passing through water,
look for following traffic, and when safe to do so check your brakes by
applying light pressure.
Dogs can be a problem for riders. Don't become distracted and don't kick at
a dog. As you approach a dog, downshift, when you reach the dog, accelerate
quickly away.
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