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Sharing the Road with Motorcycles

Motorcycles may have gained popularity as a means of transportation, but with that rise in popularity comes an increase in the number of motorcycle accidents and deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the number of accidents involving motorcycles doubled between 1999 and 2008, while the number of car and truck accidents declined. 34,000 people were killed as the result of a motorcycle accident between 2001 and 2008, according to the CDC. Over one million people were injured as a result of a motorcycle accident during that same time period. Young people between the ages of 20 and 24 were at the greatest risk of being involved in a motorcycle accident.

A motorcycle accident can occur for a number of reasons. failure to see the motorcycle is one of the most common causes of accidents and collisions. The motorcycle may be in the other driver's blind spot or it may be small enough that the other driver fails to see it. In many cases, accidents with a motorcycle and other vehicle occur in an intersection.



Drivers of cars and trucks can take steps to avoid a collision with a motorcycle. It is essential for traffic safety that drivers recognize that motorcycles have the same rights on the road as larger vehicles. A driver should allow a motorcycle to have an entire lane to itself. Drivers should not try to squeeze into the same lane as a cycle. Motorcycles can be hidden in the blind spot of a car and are usually harder to see than a car in the blind spot. A driver should always check the blind spot twice before changing lanes or merging to be absolutely certain that a bike is not in the way. They should also inspect their mirrors for motorcycles.

Truck and car drivers should give the motorcyclist plenty of space on the road. While it is acceptable to drive two seconds behind another car, a driver should drive at least three or four seconds behind a motorcyclist. The extra following distance gives the motorcyclist space to stop if conditions are slippery. It also gives the driver more time to react in case a motorcycle has to slam on its brakes or swerve to miss an obstacle in the roadway. Drivers should be aware of potential obstacles on the road and adjust to give the motorcycle time and space.

Turn signals are a necessity when driving around motorcycles. A driver should always use turn signals when changing lanes or making a turn. Additionally, a driver should remember that the turn signals on a motorcycle do not turn off automatically. A motorcycle may be signalling but not about to make a turn. Drivers should always wait to see what the bike does before making a move.

If a driver does need to pass a motorcycle, they should pass it in the same way they would pass another car or truck. Even though the cycle is small, they should give it plenty of space and move to another lane to pass. The car should not drive too quickly by the motorcycle, as the gust of air can make the motorcycle lose balance or otherwise affect its course. The driver should be well in front of the motorcycle before moving back into the lane.

A motorcycle may maneuver between lanes when traffic is stopped. Drivers should be aware of this and scan the area before starting to drive again. If a car is parked and the driver is about to open the door into traffic, they should look before opening it to avoid hitting a motorcycle.



Motorcyclists can also take steps to stay safe on the road. Just as car and truck drivers need to watch their blind spots, motorcyclists need to try to stay out of the blind spots of larger vehicles. The areas directly behind and in front of a large truck are particularly dangerous for motorcycles. Like the drivers of cars and trucks, motorcycle drivers need to stay alert at all times and should leave adequate distances between cars and their bike. To improve their visibility, a motorcyclist should wear brightly colored clothing and turn their bike's headlight on, even in the daytime. A helmet is an added protection in case of an accident.

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