Advice
for Car Drivers - Watch Out for Motorcyclists - THINK!
Injuries and Motorcyclists
Thousands
of people are killed or seriously injured every year on our
roads. Motorcyclists seem to suffer disproportionately. They
represent less than 1% of road traffic but account for 17%
of deaths and serious injuries. They are forty times more
likely to be killed than a car driver. As a motorist you can
help to lower this terrible toll. Take a few moments to read
the tips on this page and become more motorcycle aware.
LOOK OUT FOR MOTORCYCLISTS! - Motorcyclists Ride Differently
Motorcycles
are different from cars and other traffic in a few important
ways. They can make quicker progress, especially through slow
moving traffic. That's one main reason as to why people buy
them. It might be frustrating to see motorcycles weaving through
traffic queues when you are stuck. But even if you think they
are riding dangerously, a hostile reaction will make a bad
situation worse. You have to check your mirrors regularly
and always give motorcycles room. Motorcyclists are so vulnerable
and cannot avoid hazards as quickly, especially in wet or
greasy conditions. An accident which might not hurt you in
your car can kill or seriously injure a motorcyclist.
When
emerging from a side road, be careful if there are parked
cars or large vehicles obstructing your view of a motorcyclist.
Before you turn left, make sure a motorcyclist isn't on your
inside, and before turning right, make sure a motorcyclist
isn't on your outside. Give motorbike riders room at roundabouts.
Don't squeeze motorcyclists' space at traffic lights. It can
make them accelerate faster to get a lane.
Give motorcycle riders as much room as you would a car. They
might need it to avoid - a pothole, a manhole cover, a loose
surface. Don't overtake them when you can't give enough room
- for example, where the road narrows. Don't overtake when
approaching a junction. After parking your vehicle, check
for motorcyclists before opening your door, and always get
passengers behind you to do the same. When pulling away from
the kerb, look out for motorcycles they can be hard to see.
If you drive too close it can intimidate an inexperienced
motorbike rider. They could make a mistake. A motorcyclist
might be in the lane you want to move into. Look out. Are
they already there or approaching quickly?
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