MSFs Safety Guidelines for Drivers
MSFs safety guidelines for drivers
May is designated Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the MSF released a list of guidelines for cagers as they share the road with bikers
Its a fact that car drivers and other motorists are at fault most of the time in multiple-vehicle crashes that involve a motorcyclist, says Tim Buche, MSF president. Thats why weve initiated several public outreach tools specifically targeting the driving community. MSF has life-saving messages for everyone, whether they are behind a handlebar or behind a steering wheel.
The following list is available on a website created by the MSF for drivers, http://www.forcardrivers.com/. The site provides safety tips, instructional videos and other resources car, truck and bus drivers.
- Over half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle. Most of the time, the motorist, not the motorcyclist, is at fault. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers dont recognize a motorcycle they ignore it (usually unintentionally).
- Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a cars blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to look for motorcycles, whether youre changing lanes or turning at intersections.
- A motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycles speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.
- Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say three or four seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.
- 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.
- 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 motorcycles signal is for real.
- Maneuverability is one of a motorcycles better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but dont expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.
- Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it cant always stop on a dime.
- When a motorcycle is in motion, see more than the motorcycle see the person under the helmet, who could be your friend, neighbor, or relative.
- If a driver crashes into a motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian and causes serious injury, the driver would likely never forgive himself/herself.
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