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Safe-T Buzz Tip: Sharing the Road with Motorcycles According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Texas ranks among the states with the highest number of deaths to motorcyclists, and the NTTA wants everyone to stay safe on its roads.
The number of motorcycles registered in the United States has increased dramatically during the past decade, and the number of injuries and deaths to motorcyclists has risen at a even higher rate. Approximately half of all motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle, and nearly 40 percent are caused by another vehicle turning left in front of a motorcyclist.
“With more motorcycles on the road than ever, everyone needs to show more caution,” said NTTA System and Incident Management Director Marty Legé.
With the help of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NTTA staff has developed this list of tips for sharing the road with motorcycles:
- Allow motorcyclists a full lane width. Never share a lane (side-by-side) with a motorcycle.
- Use your turn signal before changing lanes or merging with traffic to allow motorcyclists time to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.
- Because of their smaller size, motorcycles are often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot and may be hard to spot with just a quick check over the shoulder. Check carefully before changing lanes or turning at an intersection and use mirrors as an additional aid.
- Motorcycle turn signals are often not self-canceling. Wait to be sure that a motorcycle is going to turn before proceeding.
- Road conditions that seem like minor concerns to most drivers can pose major hazards to motorcyclists. Motorcyclists may change speed or adjust their lane position suddenly in reaction to road and traffic conditions. Watch out for motorcyclists when encountering potholes, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad crossings or grooved pavement.
- When driving behind a motorcycle, allow extra following distance to ensure that the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.
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