May is Motorcycle Awareness Month
Anticipate motorcycles:
- In blind spots
- Against bushes, fences, bridges, and other “background” objects
- Especially when changing lanes or turning at intersections.
Motorcyclists often adjust lane position to increase visibility and minimize the effect of debris, passing vehicles, and wind.
- Lane adjustments/changes are purposeful
- Motorcyclists are not being reckless or “showing off”
Over 50% of all motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle. Most of the time, the car or truck driver is found to be at fault.
Motorcycle turn signals are not self-canceling and some riders (especially beginners) forget to turn them off.
- Make sure a motorcycle’s signal is for real
- Increase the following distance behind a motorcycle.
Left-turn collisions at intersections account for 46% of injurious and fatal motorcycle crashes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends:
- Looking twice for motorcycles when turning left
- Driving without distractions
