In the summer, more motorcycles are out on the roadways. Knowing how to help keep motorcycles safe on the roadways, and the steps drivers can take to do that, is an essential part of summertime driving.
Safely sharing the road with motorcycles is essential during summertime and any time. Motorcyclists must approach the roadway differently than drivers of passenger vehicles. Car and truck drivers should understand the ways in which driving a motorcycle is different from driving other vehicles so they can help avoid accidents.
Give them room
Motorcycle riders need to have the entire lane of traffic to safely operate their motorcycle. This means that drivers should never try to share a lane with them. Motorcycles are also more vulnerable to roadway conditions and other changes to weather or traffic. An unexpectedly rough road surface can be dangerous for a motorcycle. For that reason, drivers should increase their following distance behind a motorcycle to give them adequate time to react to roadway changes.
Keep on the lookout
Motorcycles can also be more difficult for inattentive drivers to spot. Drivers should continuously check the road for motorcycles. This is especially true when a driver is entering an intersection or turning left. Because failure to yield the right of way to a motorcycle is the most common driver error that leads to a motorcycle versus vehicle accident, drivers must double check for motorcycles when entering or exiting traffic, making lane changes or backing up.
Drivers who negligently injure motorcycle riders may be liable for their damages. A personal injury claim for damages can help motorcycle accident victims recover compensation for their physical, financial and emotional damages and is an important legal resource motorcyclists negligently injured need to be familiar with.