Unit 05 Lesson 08 - Motorcycle Safety

DRIVING AND RIDING
As vehicle patterns change, motorists are learning that other vehicles on the roadway are not operated in the same manner as an automobile. The motorcycle is obviously different from a car in size and handling.

 

THE MOTORCYCLIST, for instance, uses his/her hands to operate throttle, clutch, front brake, as well as turn signals, light switches, and horn. In addition, the motorcyclist maintains steering control with his/her hands.

 

THE MOTORIST, by comparison, uses his/her hands only to operate turn signals, light switches, horn, and steering wheel – and steering is frequently power assisted.

Two Utah Highway Patrol motorcycle officers on patrol: By Brett Neilson, CC-BY-2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

THE MOTORCYCLIST is exposed to all the elements. The motorcyclist relies on all his/her senses, including touch, in operating the motorcycle. Clothing is dictated by this exposure: motorcycle helmet manufactured to meet Department of Transportation (DOT) standards, eye protection, over–the–ankle boots, full-fingered gloves, long sleeved jacket, and long pants all protect the rider.

 

THE MOTORIST, by contrast, is protected by lots of steel in an enclosed compartment. Operation is within the vehicle, and insulated from traffic noises and weather. Four wheels and heavy weight offer stability.

 

THE MOTORCYCLIST must add skills of balance and heightened awareness to the other skills necessary for safe vehicle operation. The motorcyclist must be more alert than the motorist because he/she is relatively inconspicuous in traffic. He/she must ride assuming that motorists who don’t see him/her in traffic constantly violate his/her right-of-way.
It is vital for motorists to condition themselves to look for motorcyclist in traffic. The appearance of a motorcycle in traffic situations when the motorist is not prepared can lead to a hazardous situation. A University of Southern California (USC) study showed that motorists’ failure to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominant cause of motorcycle crashes. The driver of the vehicle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see it until it was too late to avoid the crash. Motorcyclists are not difficult to see if the motorist expects to see them. “I didn’t see him,” usually results from not looking for a motorcyclist.

Both the motorist and the motorcyclist can benefit from using a simple system to heighten awareness of potential problems while on the roadway. It’s known as SEE process and consists of the following steps: 

S- Search for factors in the area.

E- Evaluate the potential risks and options.

E- Execute with control and precision.

 

This process causes drivers to scan ahead for potential trouble spots. You learn not to fix your gaze on any one object for more than a moment. With time, how and where to look for hazards will become automatic. Safer highway sharing will be the result. 

Attitude plays an important part in creating a safe highway environment. Sharing the roadway is a good indication that motorists and motorcyclist both recognize the importance of cooperation. By curbing aggressive behavior and operating the vehicles in accordance with common sense, courtesy, and the law, motorists and motorcyclists can rider together on the road.

Today’s motorcycle riders are friends, relatives, and neighbors. The motorcyclist has the same rights and responsibilities on the roadway as drivers of other vehicles. Motorists should recognize this and not attempt to crowd motorcycles or take the right-of-way from motorcyclists. Motorcyclists, on the other hand, must operate as responsible road users and not take unsafe advantage of the motorcycle’s narrow silhouette and maneuverability

Communication with other roadway users is an important part of vehicle operation. This is true for both motorists and motorcyclists. Hand signals are a fast-disappearing technique for communicating. Motorists should pay attention to the electric turn signals on motorcycles, and riders should heed the turn signals of the vehicle ahead.

 

THE MOTORIST must be careful not to misinterpret a rider’s intentions. You must remember that most motorcycle turn signals are not self-canceling like those of an automobile. The turn signals could be inadvertently left on even after a turn is completed. Be aware that a motorcyclist riding with his/her turn signal on is not always going to turn.

 

THE MOTORCYCLIST must use signals and lane position to communicate with other roadway users. Remember to cancel your signal after a turn so you do not confuse other drivers. You can use hand signals to augment the electric turn signal, especially if you are unsure others see the original signal. One means of making the motorcycle more visible in traffic is to use headlights during the daytime. Some states require headlight use at all times by law. Most motorcycle headlights come on automatically when the engine is started.

 

THE MOTORCYCLIST should choose a position in the lane to be seen. This often means you will ride in the left portion of a traffic lane. This position gives him/her a better view of traffic and the road ahead, as well as making the motorcycle more visible to other traffic in most situations.

As a motorcyclist, you should change position within your lane as needed to maximize distance from potential hazards. Lateral movements within a lane may be necessary at times to increase your chance of being seen. Avoid riding for any length of time in a driver’s blind spot. Experienced riders realize that the best position within a lane of traffic is dictated by the situation.

 

THE MOTORIST should respect the vehicle space of a motorcycle and its position in traffic. Although there is often enough room, refrain from sharing a lane with a motorcyclist. The rider needs that space to maneuver for safety reasons.

 

BLIND SPOTS
The motorcycle, due to its relatively small size, is sometimes difficult to see. Coupled with the fact that all automobiles have blind spots to the left and right rear, problems can occur. This is especially true when motorists do not expect motorcycles to appear in the traffic stream.

 

THE MOTORIST, in developing proper search patterns in traffic, should always be on the lookout for the unexpected. Expect to see motorcycles in traffic at any time.

 

THE MOTORCYCLIST can minimize the problem of blind spots by spending as little time as possible in the blind spot of an automobile. Take a position that offers maximum visibility of your motorcycle to other traffic. You should avoid riding too closely behind large trucks or cans.

Like other motor vehicles, the motorcycle also has blind spots to the left and right. A mirror and a head check are required for motorcyclist making lane changes or turning.

 

Tailgating- of autos by motorcyclists, or motorcyclists by autos – is a hazardous, unwise practice. Insufficient stopping room and reduced ability to see conditions ahead may cause both riders and drivers to make incorrect decisions. This leads to crashes.

 

THE MOTORIST can handle a tailgater in several ways. Flash the brake lights or pull off the road when conditions permit. Increasing your following distance from the vehicle in front of you will give you more time to react so you will not be forced to brake suddenly, nor cause the tailgater to do so as well.

 

THE MOTORCYCLIST can choose any of these methods, but must also be conscious of riding in a position to discourage lane sharing.

 

BOTH RIDE AND DRIVER should know what a safe following distance is, and how to maintain it under traffic conditions.

Using the two-second count is a simple way to establish a safe following distance on a clear, sunny day. The rider or driver should pick a fixed point (shadow, pavement marker, or pole) ahead of the lead vehicle. Once the lead vehicle has passed the point, the motorist or motorcyclist should be able to count off two seconds (one-thousand, one-thousand two) before passing the reference point.