Every person should be aware of other drivers on the road. However, motorcycle riders must take extra care. They have a greater risk of injury when riding a bike and must be aware of what drivers around them are doing. Sadly, accidents occur more frequently than people would like to think about.
When an accident occurs, a motorcycle rider should consult an attorney immediately. This attorney can provide motorcycle accident claim help to ensure the rider receives full compensation for their injuries and associated expenses. However, this does not discount the need for defensive driving every time a person gets on their bike.
Defensive Riding
When a person rides defensively, they have more power while on the road. They remain visible and are better able to predict the movements of other drivers. They think two steps ahead to ride smart and ready.
Visibility
Visibility is crucial when traveling on the road. A rider cannot control the actions of other people they share the road with, but they do have control over whether they can be seen. Every rider should purchase bright gear and reflective strips to increase their visibility. Their headlights should also always be on. A rider who blends in with other traffic is at a higher risk of an accident. Never sit in a driver’s blind spot, but ensure the bike is always visible to the driver.
Positioning
Motorcyclists should stay visible to other drivers. Never ride in the no zone beside a truck and pull slightly to the left before passing and slightly to the right when remaining in a lane. Drivers will pay attention to this and act accordingly.
Predicting the Actions of Others on the Road
Motorcyclists must learn how to predict the actions of other drivers. They need to watch the language of different vehicles, much like they would watch the body language of a person. Look for wheels that are starting to turn, brake lights that are flickering, or a head looking into the rearview mirror. Every move indicates what the driver plans to do next.
Complete Awareness
Furthermore, bikers must be aware of their surroundings at all times. They need to pay attention to more than the car in front of them. They also need to know who is behind and beside them. With complete awareness, they tune into the rhythm of the drivers and adjust their actions. Doing so accordingly reduces the risk of an accident.
Speed
It’s fun to take off on the open road as fast as the bike can travel. However, as a biker’s speed increases, their ability to predict the actions of others decreases. This does not mean that a biker should go extremely slow. Doing so can make their actions unpredictable to other drivers. A rider should adjust their speed so they’re easily visible and always slow down in intersections. Holding steady in traffic is essential, and bikers should always accelerate out of a driver’s blind spot. Doing so helps them sync with the flow of traffic.
As with drivers, every move a biker makes signals to others on the road what they plan to do next. When a biker suddenly swerves, other drivers will panic and react accordingly. Tilting the head signals to drivers that the biker is ready to take action. Consider this when out on the open road, and ensure that every movement corresponds with the upcoming action. Bikers who do so find that they decrease their risk of an accident and can enjoy every ride more.