May is designated National Motorcycle Awareness Month. With many of our county and state residents owning motorcycles, it’s important to be aware of their presence while on the roads.
How many times have you driven a frequent route only to arrive at your destination without realizing it? It’s easy to operate on autopilot, especially after a long day. However, it only takes a couple of seconds to get in a wreck, and if it involves a motorcycle, it’s often deadly.
This is why it’s crucial to always be aware of your surroundings when on the road. Car mirrors have blind spots, and it can be even tougher to spot a bike on the highway when you’re changing lanes.
Your senses can be very helpful in this type of situation. Motorcycles can be very loud, so turn down the radio and make sure you’re listening while navigating the road.
If you’re behind one, you need to allow time for the unexpected to happen. A general rule of thumb is to maintain four seconds of distance between the motorcycle and yourself. You can judge this by looking at them pass an object, then make sure there’s a good four seconds before you pass that same object.
It’s also important to pay attention to the motorcyclists’ signals and speed. They may use their arms to signify they’re turning to make it more obvious to the cars around them. Don’t always rely on lights. Bikes have brake lights, but sometimes a motorcyclist will downshift instead of applying the brakes, so pay attention to their speed.
As the weather continues to get hotter, you can expect to see more motorcyclists enjoying a ride. Put down your phone, limit distractions and practice alert driving to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.