May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. There are a lot of things to think about when we drive as the weather warms up and more people come out from their “winter hibernation” to spend time biking on the roads and highways enjoying the sights. Here are seven things that all drivers should remember during Motorcycle Awareness Month.
1. Recognize Blind Spots
Recognize your blind area. Motorcycle-related accidents frequently happen because the car or truck driver failed to see the motorcycle. Motorcycle riders should never drive in the blind spot of a passenger car. Drivers of passenger cars and trucks should constantly be aware of their blind spots before making any lane changes or intersection turns. To be safe, it’s a good idea to always double-check and even triple-check your blind spots.
2. Leave Plenty of Room
Give other drivers plenty of space to pass you. Adhere to the 3-second rule for vehicles and the 4-second rule for motorcyclists, and never tailgate a motorcycle or any other vehicle, for that matter. Give yourself extra space to pass the car in front of you, especially when the weather is poor or the road conditions are poor. It’s harder to stop on slippery roads, so when driving in the rain, choose extra caution.
3. Look Out for Bikers
Always keep an eye out for motorcyclists. When a car turns left in front of a motorcycle without paying attention or noticing the biker, one of the most common types of motorcycle accidents takes place. As the weather becomes warmer, there are inevitably going to be more motorcycles on the road, therefore drivers need to be increasingly mindful of the motorcycles on the roads around them.
4. Don’t Trust Your Mirror
If you see a motorcycle in your rearview or side mirror, realize that the bike is most likely closer than it appears. Never pull out in front of a motorcycle since it can be difficult to gauge the exact speed of a smaller profile moving object. When entering the road, wait for the motorbike to pass, and avoid changing lanes right in front of a biker.
5. Always Signal Turns
Make sure to always signal a turn. This advice applies to both motorcyclists and drivers of passenger cars. Never cut off another vehicle and always use your turn signal to give plenty of notice whenever you intend to turn or merge lanes. Don’t assume that just because a motorcycle’s turn signal is on, it is actually turning, because many of their turn signals don’t self-cancel, unlike that of a typical passenger vehicle.
6. Don’t Depend on Brake Lights
You shouldn’t rely strictly on looking for brake lights to know when a biker is intending to slow down or stop. Not all motorcycle riders apply the brakes when they want to slow down. This is yet another excellent reason to keep a safe distance behind a motorbike on the road and to be constantly paying attention for whether they are slowing down or stopping, because there is always the possibility that you won’t see any brake lights at all.
7. Be Situationally Aware
Pay attention to your environment. Talking on the phone, facetiming, sending text messages or even enjoying a fast food burger while driving are all distracting activities that could endanger both your life and the life of another person. It takes smart defensive driving to be vigilantly paying attention to both the road and your surroundings. Not everyone follows the law or drives with conscious consideration, therefore we must always be prepared to be the exceptional drivers which act quickly.
Although many of us completed our driver’s education years ago, it’s crucial to remember the rules of the road, and we could all use a little reminder. Remember these seven suggestions as we head into summer and relish all those bright days and pleasant, comfortable temperatures. One mishap on the road, however, could make the difference between a wonderful and disastrous summer. We can all cooperate together to help ensure the safety of drivers on the road, including the motorcycle riders with whom we share the highways.
Nicholas Insurance Solutions
Nicholas Insurance Solutions, led by Jody Nicholas, is a family owned insurance agency serving the York county, Pennsylvania region. In the insurance business since 1981, the Nicholas family helps families, businesses and individuals understand the value of different insurance products and make wise decisions when selecting the best insurance products for their specific situations.
Offering insurance products from 30 different insurance companies, Nicholas Insurance Solutions provides auto, homeowners, rental and landlord insurance as well as life & disability, recreational vehicle, motorcycle and personal liability insurance.
For more information, visit our two York, PA locations, visit our website at nicholasinsurancesolutions.com, or call us at (717) 764-2477.
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