We've all got our own special names for dangerous drivers...most of which we can't share on a family-friendly website. But we'd like to help prepare you for the kinds of situations you're going to encounter in traffic. So we've borrowed some of the info available in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Guide to Motorcycling Excellence, 2nd ed., to look at ways you can stay out of trouble while sharing the road with less attentive drivers. We're not looking to call people names or play a blame game, especially when the other people are morons. We're hoping to create a safer riding environment for everyone, particularly for those who are new to two wheels. Ride safe!
The Shark
On a nature-network show, you would be the fur seal, swimming frantically while a great white shark pursues you. Every time you try an evasive maneuver, he’s on your tail. In real life, you’re riding your motorcycle down a wide street when an SUV closes in on you. Just as you change lanes to get out of the car-shark’s path, the tailgater changes lanes right behind you.
As soon as you see a tailgater approaching in your mirrors, take steps to get out of the way. Hit your turn signal and make an obvious, decisive lane change. If the car is already upon you before you notice it, be careful before making a move, to avoid the shark-pursuit situation. Signal early, and pause for an instant (to make sure the tailgater isn’t also planning to change into the same lane), before making a decisive move into another lane. Make sure your actions clearly communicate your intentions to the other driver.
As soon as you see a tailgater approaching in your mirrors, take steps to get out of the way. Hit your turn signal and make an obvious, decisive lane change. If the car is already upon you before you notice it, be careful before making a move, to avoid the shark-pursuit situation. Signal early, and pause for an instant (to make sure the tailgater isn’t also planning to change into the same lane), before making a decisive move into another lane. Make sure your actions clearly communicate your intentions to the other driver.
The CreeperRiding along a suburban street, you approach a slow-moving car. You want to pass, but the driver keeps speeding up and slowing down. After a while, you decide to accelerate past the car – but as soon as you pull forward to pass the creeper, the driver makes a sudden left into a driveway, leaving you no room to stop or swerve.
The car’s erratic pace might have tipped you off that the driver was looking for something (like a street address), and that he wasn’t paying attention to other traffic. In that case, you could have predicted that the driver might turn or stop suddenly. Best thing to do is to separate yourself from the hazard, a/k/a the other driver. You could have dropped back at least two seconds, or made a pass – after clearly establishing contact with the driver to let him know your intentions (he might even wave you by). Just make sure you don’t pass at an intersection or other traffic situation where the car could turn in front of you.
The car’s erratic pace might have tipped you off that the driver was looking for something (like a street address), and that he wasn’t paying attention to other traffic. In that case, you could have predicted that the driver might turn or stop suddenly. Best thing to do is to separate yourself from the hazard, a/k/a the other driver. You could have dropped back at least two seconds, or made a pass – after clearly establishing contact with the driver to let him know your intentions (he might even wave you by). Just make sure you don’t pass at an intersection or other traffic situation where the car could turn in front of you.
The Off-Ramp DiverYou’re riding along a freeway in the far right lane. Just as you approach an off-ramp, a car on your left dives in front of you, braking hard to make the ramp. You have barely any room to brake or swerve.
When you see an off-ramp ahead, look around and evaluate the situation. Do you see any cars around you that might exit? Are you doing anything that might make other drivers think you’re going to get off the freeway? Since you’re riding along in the far right lane, other drivers might assume you’re going to exit. So, if you see a ramp coming, move out of the exit/entrance lane, and be sure to avoid riding in the blind spots of cars around you. In the situation above, the driver might not even have known you were between him and the exit, if you were in his blind spot.
The Rear EnderYou’re sitting on your bike at an intersection, waiting for a red light to change, when you hear the screech of tires. Next thing you know, you’re flying through the air. You’ve just been rear-ended by a driver too busy dialing his cell phone to notice you stopped at the light, or even notice that the light is red.
Remember that even to attentive drivers, motorcycles are often difficult to see, especially at night. So be aware that drivers approaching an intersection may not see you. Check your mirrors often to monitor traffic coming from behind – especially if it’s moving fast. Flash your brake light, and keep your bike in 1st gear so you can escape quickly if you have to. If you do see a car speeding toward you, move to one side or get out of its way.
Remember that even to attentive drivers, motorcycles are often difficult to see, especially at night. So be aware that drivers approaching an intersection may not see you. Check your mirrors often to monitor traffic coming from behind – especially if it’s moving fast. Flash your brake light, and keep your bike in 1st gear so you can escape quickly if you have to. If you do see a car speeding toward you, move to one side or get out of its way.
The Sleepy Commuter
You’re riding to work early in the morning, going down a typical suburban street lined with car-filled driveways. As you approach one of the driveways, a car starts to back out directly in your path. You brake hard, trying to stop before hitting the rear bumper.
Given the time of day and the type of neighborhood, you might have expected to encounter at least a few drivers heading off to work. Other clues to look for: drivers getting into their cars, the puff of an exhaust from a car just starting up, and brake lights or reverse lights. So, slow your pace and be prepared to stop at any time. Keep your eyes up and lightly cover the brakes. If you see someone backing out and you don’t have time to stop safely, scan for an escape route to swerve into.
The Basic Left-TurnerWhen you’re approaching a busy four-way intersection, there’s a lot to watch out for: cross traffic may not stop for the light, pedestrians could step out at any time, and an oncoming car could turn left in front of you. Sure enough, just as you approach the intersection, a car in the opposing left-turn lane swings into your path. You brake hard and swerve at the last second, trying to avoid a broadside collision.
Without a doubt, this is a frequent hazard for riders in urban areas. If you’re approaching an intersection with a vehicle waiting in the left-turn lane, your best bet is to assume the worst: that the car will pull out in front of you. Slow down as you approach, and maybe cover the brakes. Slowing just 10 mph reduces your stopping distance significantly, and covering your brake reduces reaction time. You could also adjust your lane position to be seen better. And even after you slow down, keep watching that car for any sign of movement.
The Hidden Left-Turner
You’re riding in heavy traffic, right behind a large truck. The truck goes through an intersection and you follow behind, when suddenly a car from the opposite direction appears in front of you, attempting a quick turn behind the truck. You have almost no time to react, to try to avoid hitting the car.
It’s never a good idea to follow too closely behind a larger vehicle, where you and your bike are obscured. Increase your following distance, moving back to where you can better see and be seen. A similar situation can happen when vehicles are waiting on both sides of an intersection to make left turns. If you’re passing to the right of a vehicle waiting to turn left, especially if that vehicle is a truck or SUV, you may be hidden from an oncoming vehicle waiting to turn, causing that driver to pull into your path. Be aware of that possibility, and be prepared for it when you’re passing vehicles waiting to turn at intersections.
