Motorcycle Accident Prevention Tips for Drivers

June 09, 2015

On behalf of Terence Gross of Gross & Schuster, P.A. posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Friday, November 26, 2010.

Drivers and motorcyclists alike share equal responsibility in preventing motorcycle accidents. We’ve discussed in the past on our blog tips for motorcycle riders in making the roads a safer place for all. Here we are going to detail suggestions for car drivers in preventing motorcycle accidents.

• Start seeing motorcycles. As the well-known campaign states, be aware of your surroundings at all times and expect to share the road with motorcyclists.
• Check blind spots before you make a lane change or merge. This is most important in dense traffic scenarios.
• Accidents are most likely to happen where traffic paths cross. Be wary at intersections and look twice before making a turn or proceeding through the intersection.
• Watch out especially when making left turns. This point relates to the above. Statistically speaking, most crashes between motorcycles and other vehicles on the road occur when a driver takes a left turn at an intersection.
• Sometimes it’s nearly impossible to see around trucks and SUVs on the road. Be creative. Look under vehicles for another set of tires or around them for an “un-owned” shadow that might belong to a motorcyclist.
• Take to heart what you learned in Driver’s Ed.: Leave roughly a four-second distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you, whether it’s a truck, sedan, or motorcycle. It’s always a good idea.
• Check your depth perception. When a group of bikes is in front of you, the one closest may be hard to pick out over the ones further away. The motorcyclist could be closer than you think.
• Curb your distracted driving habits. Sending that text message can wait until you get to your destination.
• Again, Driver’s Ed. 101, but use your turn signals. Bikers need to know what you’re planning on doing.

Hopefully you find these tips useful in preventing your involvement in a serious or fatal motorcycle accident.

Source: Florida Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Office, “Motorist Awareness”