Common Sense…..for Motorist. Save a life!
We have to admit, we hate writing pieces like this… mainly because it means that someone has been injured or killed on their motorocycle because of an unattentive, inexperienced or careless driver of an automobile. However we trudge on in the hopes that “cage drivers” (for the un-initiated, this means “car drivers”), will pay attention; in the hopes that this BLOG insert will find it’s way into the gray matter of everyone that sits behind the wheel of a car/truck. This information was provided by an article in the Ocala.com site in an interview with ABATE members who are lobbying congress for stiffer penalties for those drivers who kill motorcyclist.
SAFTEY TIPS FOR MOTORISTS
Remember, the motorcycle is a vehicle with all the privileges of any other vehicle on the roadway. Give motorcyclists a full lane of travel and double-check blind spots when entering or changing a lane of travel.
Look out: Look for the motorcyclist on the highway, when entering or leaving a lane of travel, and especially at intersections. Because motorcycles are smaller, drivers tend to underestimate how far away a motorcycle actually is and how fast it’s going. Also, drivers can be fooled by a motorcycle’s flashing turn signal. Motorcycle turn signals don’t turn off by themselves like automobile signals do and riders often forget about them, riding for long periods of time without realizing the blinker is on. Drivers should take an extra moment to determine a rider’s intentions by making eye contact with the rider before proceeding.
Anticipate a motorcyclist’s maneuvers: Obstructions that you do not notice may be deadly for motorcyclists. Be aware of changing road conditions and road debris in an attempt to predict evasive actions by motorcyclists.
Allow plenty of space: Don’t follow a motorcycle too closely. Allow a two-second “space cushion” when following a motorcycle. In poor driving conditions, at higher speeds, or at night, allow a four-second following distance.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:37 am
i’ve been ridin since i was 13, am now 49–have’nt been without a bike for very long in all the years—–lately, what i’ve seen at least, is people with the cell phones are the most likely to run someone down or whatever——————-ever time there is a close call it’s someone on a cell phone or older folks that are peepin barley over the steering wheel——-anyway, look out for yourselves they’re not lookin out for u——–wj.
May 3rd, 2007 at 6:07 am
Wayne, same here dude….i’m always hyper sensative when i’m riding as i look for cage drivers being distracted and/or not attentive……take a look at what was in a recent Orlando Sentinel article about accidents here in FLA….it’s on the blog..