Tips for Motorists To Help Prevent Motorcyle Accidents

In his work as program coordinator for the driver improvement program at Hillsborough Community College, Benjamin Whiteside knows the importance of buidling awareness of road-safety tips for avoiding accidents.

That's why he finds it necessary to address an area that doesn't get as much attention from motorists, and that's how to deal with motorcyclists on the road.

"You really don't see that much information aimed toward motorists driving cars and trucks concerning how to deal with motorcylists on the road," Whiteside said, at a driver improvement class at HCC at The Regent this month. "That's why I ordered materials from the state [that address this issue]."

A student in his class noted that while he has to work on slowing down in the car, he has no problems slowing down on his bike.

"I can't slow down in the car, that's something I have to work on," he said. "But a motorcyle? I go real slow, because I have nothing around me on a motorcylce and I love my life. On a motorcyle you have no metal around you to protect you and you have to pay attention too much on a motorcyle [to go too fast]."

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Look Twice. Save A Life. Tips From the Florida Department of Transportation

Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.

There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcyles on the road and some drivers don't notice motorcyles at all.

When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or near a driveway, assume a motorcycle is closer than it appears.

Because of its small size, a motorcyle may look farther away than it is.

Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections.

It is difficult to judge a motorcycle's speed. Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car's blind spots or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car.

Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds, to give you extra time to respond.

[Motorcylists] are able to use their engines and gearing to slow down without using brakes. Therefore, don't depend upon a brake light to alert you to a slowing motorcyle.

Motorcycle turn signals usually are not self-canceling.

So, some riders , especially beginners, may forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change.

Understand that motorcyclists may adjust lane position for their own safety, not to be reckless or show off.

Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, or other conditions.

Don't expect a motorcylist to always get out of your way.

Maneuverability is one of a motorcylist's better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions. But they can't always react the way a passenger car can.

Stopping distance for motorcyles is nearly the same as for cars.

But slippery pavement makes stopping quickly both dangerous and difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can't always "stop on a dime."

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