Motorcycle Safety Tips

According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation there are over four million motorcycles registered in the United States and motorcycle fatalities have steadily increased.  In 2007, there were over 5,000 motorcycle fatalities.  Now that warm weather is here, more motorcycles are on the roads. Lets work together to keep all motorists safe as they travel throughout Milwaukee County.   

Drivers of other passenger vehicles should always remember to follow these steps to help keep motorcyclists safe:

 
1.      Allow a motorcyclist the full lane width. Although it may seem as though there is enough room in a traffic lane for both an automobile and a motorcycle, the motorcycle needs the full room to ma­neuver safely. Do not share the lane.
 
2.      Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. This allows the mo­torcyclist to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.
 
3.      Remember that motorcyclists are often hidden in your blind spot or missed with a quick glance due to their smaller size. Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.
 
4.      Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a mo­torcycle – motorcycle signals usually are not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed.
 
5.      Remember that road conditions which are minor annoyances to passenger vehicles pose MAJOR hazards to motor­cyclists. Be aware that a motorcyclist may need to change speed or adjust their position within a lane suddenly in reaction to road and traffic conditions such as potholes, gravel, or wet or slippery surfaces.
 
6.   Allow more following distance, three or four sec­onds, when behind a motorcycle, so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emer­gency. Don’t tailgate. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.
 
 
     Motorcyclists can increase their safety by:
 
  1. Avoid riding in poor weather conditions.
  2. Wearing brightly colored protective gear and a DOT-compliant helmet;
  3. Using turn signals for every turn or lane change, even if the rider thinks no one will see it;
  4. Combining hand and turn signals to draw more attention to themselves;
  5. Using reflective tape and stickers to increase conspicuity; and
  6. Positioning themselves in the lane where they will be most visible to other drivers