Sharing the road with motorcyclists
Many US cities have seen a wide emergence of motorcycle drivers due to their low cost, effectiveness, ease of use and overall rapidness to reach other areas of the city faster than most cars and vehicles. Sharing a public road with motorcycle drivers entails giving enough space for them to travel on their motorcycles on the same lanes as vehicles travel. Due to their rapid mobility, it is possible that at any given time a motorcyclist may turn to another lane in a matter of seconds. Car drivers and other vehicles must cede this access effectively in order to avoid a collision, and keep in mind that motorcyclists are usually drivers who are constantly hurried in order to get to their destinations.
Motorcycle drivers must also keep in mind to follow all their respective regulations and traffic laws regarding the use of a motorcycle. Motorcycle drivers must alert the driver in the back with a turning light to the direction of the lane where they are going, as well as taking the necessary precautions when going from one intersection to another with walking pedestrians. Many accidents have also occurred due to the lack of vision from a motorcycle driver to the rear of his motorcycle, thereby colliding with other pedestrians and causing injuries and even deaths. Sharing the road with a motorcyclist is both the task of other regular drivers and the motorcyclist himself.
In conclusion, it is important to note that respect is the sole deciding factor in sharing the public roads with pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists. It is very important to always be reminded that a road is public and it can therefore be used by anyone under the standard regulations. Focusing not only on one’s driving ability but also for others while driving is an excellent way to be respectful to pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists in giving them the right of way whenever necessary. By engaging in this practice of an open road sharing environment with other road users, a sense of respect, unity and caring for other drivers will be glaringly visible until the practice is done over a prolonged period of time, following the trend that as much as the practice is done, the more visible results will be seen overtime in a very effective manner.
- According to the law, you must allow the motorcyclist/moped driver to use one complete lane.
- Most motorcycle/vehicle or moped/vehicle crashes happen at intersections. Usually, the vehicle turns left in front of a moving motorcycle/moped when the driver of the vehicle should have yielded the right of way.
- Do not assume a motorcycle/moped is turning when you see its turn signal flashing. A motorcycle/moped’s turn signals may not turn off automatically, like a vehicle’s. Do not pull out in front of a motorcycle/moped until you see it actually turning.
- Obstacles that may prove minor to a motorist can be deadly to a motorcyclist/moped driver. Be prepared for motorcyclists/moped drivers to make sudden changes in lanes or speed as they attempt to avoid a hazard on the road.
- Allow the same 4-second following distance or more you would allow for other vehicles. Increase your following distance behind a motorcycle/moped, when road or weather conditions are bad.