No driver wakes up one morning and says, “I’m going to hit a motorcycle rider with my car today.” Going out into traffic isn’t a game of whack-a-mole, and most drivers do their best to drive safely. But the fact of the matter is that the majority of motorcycle collisions, and other crashes that happen in the city, happen due to driver error, and they’re nearly all preventable.
Nearly all preventable. That is a somber thought, but it’s one that drivers should take heed of. You must do your part to keep from hitting motorcycles on the road and causing injury or death to riders. Here are some of the best things you can do right now to start becoming more of a motorcycle-friendly motorist.
Put down your cell phone. That almost sounds like sacrilege in this day and age, but when you are talking or texting on your cell phone, you are not connected with the road or with your vehicle. Turn off your phone if you must, but ensure that it is never in your hands when you are driving.
Be mindful. More and more motorcycles, and other types of vehicles, are on the roads than ever before. But it’s not just their responsibility to look out for you. You are responsible to look out for them, too. “I didn’t see them” is never a good excuse and saying it does not undo the harm.
Focus on the road. This means not only putting away your cell phone, stopping conversations, not playing with the radio, and not eating, drinking, or grooming while driving. It also means clearing your mind and paying attention to everything around you on the road.
Being present is one of the most important things you can do on the road to avoid hitting a motorcycle. Pay attention, look out for bikers, and above all, follow the law to help reduce your own accident risk.