Many motorcycle riders are enthusiastic about almost everything about riding motorcycles. However, there is one thing that even the most enthusiastic riders are likely to agree can ruin a good ride, if not end it entirely. That one thing is when the drivers of other vehicles fail to yield. When motorists do not yield to motorcycle riders, it is not just upsetting. The failure to yield can be dangerous, and even deadly.
Motorcycle riders are responsible for doing what they can in order to make themselves more visible. Things like using headlights all of the time and wearing highly visible clothing make motorcycle riders easier to see. However, simply seeing motorcycle riders on the road is not enough. Motorists who share the road with motorcycles must always be aware of their surroundings, and they must yield to oncoming motorcycles just as they would yield to other oncoming vehicles.
In addition to yielding to oncoming motorcycles, there are a few other things that motorists can do to improve their awareness of motorcycles on the road. For example, looking twice in each direction before entering an intersection is a good way to make sure that you don’t miss an approaching motorcycle, or any other vehicle, for that matter. Also, checking your mirrors when changing lanes and when using on ramps and off ramps can help you avoid entering the path of a motorcycle. Using turn signals lets other drivers, including motorcycle riders, know where you are going so that they can anticipate and react to your movements.
Another important thing that you can do to share the road more safely with motorcycles is to leave plenty of room between your vehicle and any motorcycles that you see. Many motorcycles are designed in such a way that the driver can slow down by downshifting through the gears, applying the brakes only when it is almost time to stop. For this reason, motorcycles may appear to stop suddenly or slow down rapidly. The minimum safe distance between your car and a motorcycle is twice the distance that you would leave between your vehicle and any other vehicle. When you are stopped in traffic or sitting at a traffic light, it is also important to leave additional space between your vehicle and any motorcycles that are in front of you. Motorcycle riders sometimes need extra space and time to navigate intersections, especially if the pavement is uneven or wet.
Barrett Law PLLC: Top Quality Representation for Mississippi Accident Victims
Motorists and motorcyclists can share the road safely, if they work together to follow the rules of the road and pay close attention to what they, and others around them, are doing. The Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are here to help people who have been injured and families who have lost loved ones in Mississippi automobile accidents. To learn more about who we are and what we do, please call our office today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free consultation.