How to Avoid an Accident on a Motorcycle

Blame is irrelevant when people are killed or injured in motorcycle accidents. The reality is that it's up to you to stay out of accidents.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Basic Traffic-safety Rule Books
• Motorcycle Owner's Manual
• Traffic Rule Books
• Motorcycles
• Eye Protection For Motorcycle Riders
• Federally Approved Motorcycle Helmets
• Motorcycle Accessories

1. Wear highly visible clothing (especially at night) and use your headlight, even in daylight.

2. Communicate with drivers in other vehicles by using the proper signals, brake light, and lane position.

3. Keep an adequate space cushion when following, being followed, sharing your lane, passing other vehicles or being passed.

4. Scan your course of travel 10 to 15 seconds ahead so you can identify and avoid potential hazards.

5. Remain alert, and always be prepared to avoid a crash.

Tips & Warnings

• Motorcycle riding is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Ask a Motorcycle Mechanic Online Now

[LexTalionis]

on 5/26/2008 Be very watchfull at intersections: that is where you are most likely to be hurt or killed. Intersections, blind spots, debri in the roadway and excessive speed are what you have to be mindfull of. And don't drive around with your brights on at night. Besides being rude it is illegal. It is also dangerious because it could cause a driver to be partially blinded and cross into your lane or just piss someone off and swerve at you or throw something at you. Buy some accessory lights.

on 7/29/2006 I've escaped two potentially fatal accidents by not starting on the green light. Instead I waited to check on both sides that cars were either stopped or that the roads were clear. Doing this gives you the extra seconds when red light-runners zoom through just in front of you.

on 7/29/2006 Slow down. Most motorcycle accidents occur because of excessive speed: (i) losing control in a curve, or (ii) not having time to see a car coming or stopping before the crash.

on 7/3/2006 You're on your Sunday blast, you've either got the throttle to the stop, or you've got the brake pulled back to the bar to try to get the speed down for the next turn.

Keep everything smooth. Brake in plenty of time for the next bend, with a smooth progressive squeeze of the lever. Get the suspension settled before you turn the nose of the bike in. You can get on the throttle earlier if the bike isn't pitching about underneath you. You'll have a better ride, more fun, more involving, and you'll end up going faster.

Try riding for an hour a bit more slowly without using the brake lever, but just using engine braking and see how the bike reacts. And remember, letting go of the brakes effects the suspension as well as applying them, so smooth that part out, too.

on 11/22/2005 Some areas of the country grind a slight groove into the pavement placing a white or yellow colored tape material in the groove, instead of painting. These grooves are just wide enough for a motorcycle tire to fit into before the tape material is installed. In addition, the tape material can be extra slippery when wet. Be especially watchful of this type of material when used at stop signs or other areas where a large pavement marking is needed.