May 6, 2016
1520
(SOUTHERN BRUCE COUNTY, ON) – With warmer temperatures forecast, the South Bruce OPP expects to see motorcycle enthusiasts taking advantage. All drivers must share the roadway and drive courteously to avoid potentially-dangerous incidents.
The following tips are offered to help avoid becoming involved in a collision with a motorcycle:
Be sure that you are safe to proceed before doing so; check your mirrors and all around your car
Over one-third of all crashes with motorcycles are intersection related; slow down as you come to an intersection and look carefully for traffic, traffic control signals, cyclists, pedestrians
Be extra cautious when turning left in front of a motorcycle; it’s difficult to judge the vehicle's speed and the turn signal may unintentionally be on as some models don’t shut off automatically
Watch for signs, such as shoulder checking or leaning, that indicate the rider is going to change lanes
A motorcycle is more difficult to see than other vehicles and its profile is smaller from most angles
Drivers can easily misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or distance
Make sure you don’t pull out in front of, or cut off, a motorcycle
Speed and other aggressive tactics, such as tailgating, can be more dangerous to the motorcyclist who has less protection on a smaller, open vehicle
Give other drivers space to change lanes, avoid cutting them off, signal your turns and lane changes properly
Respect motorcycle riders; they are just as entitled to use the road as you are. Aggressive or unsafe drivers need to be reported to police.
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