During the winter months, we are missing one type of vehicle from our roadways and that is the motorcycle. Without motorcycles out there on a daily basis, it is very easy for motorists to forget to look for them. May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, so now is the time to remind yourself there are other vehicles besides cars and semis to look out for.
Make sure you look twice when making a left turn or entering an intersection. Everything about a motorcycle is smaller than a car, which makes it more challenging for the motorist to detect. Obviously, a motorcycle is smaller and the tail lights and brake lights are smaller too and aren’t as visible as a car’s lights.
Anyone in a vehicle who is following a motorcycle needs to make sure there is extra space between you and the motorcycle. A motorcycle is able to stop a lot quicker than a car and you don’t want to rear-end them.
Look twice when turning left across traffic. While on the highway, if you see a group of motorcycles, don’t join the group. Either go around all of them or keep a safe distance back. It’s more difficult to judge a motorcyclist’s speed, so again allow more distance between your vehicle and the motorcycle.
Motorcyclists ride close to the centre line of the road to help you. The purpose is to stay out of your blind spot while they are following a car or another vehicle and stay in your side mirror and out of your blind spot.
The Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada would like to remind you that we all share the road, whether we drive semis, trucks, cars or motorcycles. So please look twice to save a life. Let’s set our goals to have an accident-free year.
The Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC) is the national not-for-profit advocacy organization for the promotion of motorcycling safety and interests; each year they promote motorcycle safety throughout the month of May with their Ride Smart to Ride Again campaign.
For more information on the Ride Smart to Ride Again campaign, visit www.motorcycling.ca/ridesafe and stay connected with the campaign by following along on Twitter and Facebook for updates, events and safety tips!
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