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SAFETY CORNER Lynn Ketchum Motorist Awareness -
Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles 1. There are a lot more cars and trucks than
motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't "recognize" a
motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking
traffic at an intersection. 2. Because of its small size, a
motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It
may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed.
When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into
(or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks. 3. Because of its small size, a
motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof
pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes,
fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra
moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or
turning at intersections. 4. Because of its small size a
motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don't assume all motorcyclists are speed
demons. 5. Motorcyclists often slow by
downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating
the brake light. Allow more following
distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At
intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual
warning. 6. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially
beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a
turn or lane change. Make sure a
motorcycle's signal is for real. 7. Motorcyclists often adjust position within a
lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris,
passing vehicles, and wind. Understand
that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not
to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with
them. |