Motorists and motorcyclists share the road

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week – as we approach the summer season when motorcycling is at its height – he recommends how motorcyclists and drivers should share the road safely.

Car drivers:

– Keep an eye out for motorcyclists. The biggest cause of accidents is failing to look properly, and this problem is exaggerated in the case of motorcycle collisions, as motorbikes are smaller, and less common than cars.
– Give them space. Don’t follow too close, or drive on their nearside – they may be avoiding potholes and other surface problems which aren’t an issue to a car driver.
– Use your mirrors so you see bikes approaching from behind. In particular check your mirrors before changing direction, especially in traffic queues.
– If a motorcyclist is trying to get past in heavy traffic, let them. Don’t try and impede their progress because you are stuck.
– Give clear and early signals to allow motorcyclists and other road users time to react.
– In bad weather allow motorcyclists even more space to deal with bad surface conditions.

Motorcyclists:

– Always assume that other road users may not have seen you.
– When travelling in a straight line position yourself where a car driver would be sitting. This is where other road users will be looking.
– Give drivers time to realise you are there – don’t arrive so fast you startle the driver.
– Always leave plenty of space between yourself and other traffic.
– Look well ahead to avoid needing to make sudden changes in direction for potholes etc.
– Be seen. Big blocks of bright colour are better than broken up or patterned clothing, which effectively camouflages you. And always make sure you have your headlight on.

Rodger said: “Motorcyclists are at much more risk than other road users and awareness of the risks they face need to be understood – especially at junctions in towns. Motorcycling is a fun and convenient way of travelling, so it is important riders appreciate how to protect themselves, and car drivers learn to take a bit more care when looking out for them.”

Tags: road safety charity