GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION Motorist Awareness Division

GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION Motorist Awareness Division Think Motorcycles Seminar November 2008 LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 1

Overview v The purpose of this seminar is to make you more Familiar with motorcycles. In this presentation we will discuss: Ø Ø Why Familiarity Helps Who Rides Motorcycles Road Hazards Why Motorists Collide with Motorcycles • Blind Spots • Driver Distractions • How You Can Help LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 2

Familiarity v Ø Why Familiarity? “Research shows drivers who also ride motorcycles and those with family members or close friends who ride are more likely to observe motorcyclists and less likely to collide with them. ” (Brooks, 1990) Ø Becoming familiar with motorcycles reduces the odds that one day you will have a collision with one. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 3

Familiarity Ø Ø Ø 1955 - 450, 000 motorcycles registered in U. S. 1970 - 1. 1 million motorcycles registered in U. S. 1975 - 5 million motorcycles registered in U. S. Today estimates of motorcycles registered in the U. S. alone exceed 10 million. There are motorcycles on the road today than ever before. Motorcycles are more difficult to detect in traffic & Motorists need to “Think Motorcycles” & train themselves to look for them. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 4

Familiarity v Ø Ø Ø Be aware most crashes involving motorcyclists are due to the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic. 75% of motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle. 66% of motorcycle crashes with other vehicles are caused by the motorist failing to yield the right-of-way. Over 40% of all motorcycle crashes occur at intersections. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 5

Who Rides Motorcycles v The motorcycling community is a diverse cross section of our population, who ride for many different reasons. Many people are turning to small economical motorcycles for commuting. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 6

Who Rides Motorcycles Numerous people are turning to V-Twin cruisers for commuting and local cruising enjoyment. A fun & economical form of transportation. Sport Bike enthusiasts use this type of motorcycle for commuting & sport riding. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 7

Who Rides Motorcycles Those riding a motorcycle like this might be commuting, they might be out for a local cruise or be vacationing on a long distance tour. These motorcycles combine the features of comfort, handling, and great fuel economy. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 8

Who Rides Motorcycles Some people convert their motorcycles to three wheels like the Trike conversion on the left or the side-car on the right. These machines are still motorcycles offering better stability, and fuel economy equal to that of economical automobiles. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 9

Who Rides Motorcycles The motorcycling community is a diverse cross section of our population. v Anyone might ride a motorcycle! Sometimes even children ride as passengers. Ø Riders are real people, just like you, with families that love and depend on them, just like you! Ø The motorcyclist next to you in traffic could be your child’s teacher, your friend, neighbor, plumber, doctor, or even one of your family members. Ø LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 10

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Road Hazards v Motorcyclists use the entire traffic lane even though they occupy only part of the lane at one time. Ø Ø Ø Motorcyclists may move about in the lane to be more visible to other motorists. Road hazards having little effect on motorists could result in serious consequences for motorcyclists. A motorcycle may suddenly change direction, slow or come to a sudden stop to avoid road hazards. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 12

Road Hazards v Road Hazards include animals! Deer, other wildlife, and domestic animals at large. Ø Animals can damage your car. They can cause serious injury or result in a fatality to motorcyclists. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 13

Road Hazards Motorcyclists must take evasive action to avoid road debris. Thrown tire re-treads, boards, animal carcasses and other objects can cause a motorcyclist to loose control & result in a crash. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 14

Road Hazards, like this lost muffler, suddenly appearing in front of a motorcyclist is a serious event. The rider must take immediate evasive action. Striking heavy objects like this will likely result in a motorcycle crash. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 15

Road Hazards also pre Railroad crossings can also present hazards to motorcycles. What about that loose stuff in the left lane? A large pothole like this can be trouble too! LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 16

Why Motorists Collide with Motorcycles Motorists fail to look for motorcycles. Motorists are familiar with looking for other motorists, not motorcycles. v Due to their smaller size, motorists often misjudge a motorcycles speed & distance. v v Driver distractions or inattention. Motorcycle is temporarily obscured from motorist view as the result of a blind spot. v LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 17

Blind Spots v v v There are many factors contributing to Blind Spots. Due to the inherent engineering designs of vehicles every motor vehicle has built-in Blind Spots. Window pillar posts, mirrors, and areas of the road not visible in mirrors are Blind Spots found in all motor vehicles. Some makes & models are worse than others. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 18

Blind Spots v v v Additional Blind Spots are sometimes created by motorists hanging objects from mirrors, and by attaching objects to windshields or windows. Anything placed in such a manner obscuring a drivers view of the roadway creates a Blind Spot. Passengers & Pets inside a vehicle can contribute to a Blind Spot. Factors outside a vehicle such as other vehicles, buildings, trees, utility poles, signs, along with numerous other objects create temporary Blind Spots. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 19

Blind Spots In the left photo, a pillar post creates a Blind Spot and completely hides a motorcycle & rider from the drivers view. The right photo shows what was hidden from the drivers view. Blind Spots can also obscure much larger objects! LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 20

Blind Spots In the left photo, the driver checks the vehicles left mirror prior to a lane change. The driver observes no vehicles. A quick check over the left shoulder, depicted in the photo on the right, and you can see the motorcyclist was hidden in the mirrors Blind Spot. A quick look over the shoulder, left or right, can 21 prevent a crash! LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

Blind Spots The left photo is an example of Blind Spots motorists create for themselves. The right photo depicts what was blocked from view. If this placard can obscure a dump truck, it can easily hide a pedestrian, bicyclist or motorcyclist. Why Risk It? LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 22

Blind Spots v v v Every motorist needs to be aware of Blind Spots and learn to compensate for them. Avoid rolling stops with the quick look, or one day the Blind Spot will catch up with you, and unfortunately someone else along with you. Drive Aware – Expect motorcycles or other vehicles to be hidden from view in Blind Spots. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 23

Driver Distractions In today’s society motorists are diverting more & more attention away from the primary task of the safe operation of their vehicle. v Passengers, eating, smoking, shaving, applying make-up, reading, and managing audio systems are all traditional driver distractions. v v Now we add cellular telephones and navigation systems to the mix of other distractions. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 24

Driver Distractions v v The safe operation of your vehicle should be your primary concern. Operating a motor vehicle in itself is a complex operation requiring concentration along with hand, foot and eye coordination. The more distracted a motorist becomes, the greater the odds of a collision. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 25

How You Can Help ü ü ü Think Motorcycles – Every time you drive expect motorcycles to be on the road with you. Make it your practice to actively look for motorcycles. In time it will become a habit & you will reduce the chances of having a collision with a motorcyclist. Share the Road – Be courteous, signal your intentions of a turn or lane change. Check the Blind Spots before you move. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 26

How You Can Help ü ü ü Give motorcycles more space than you would give other vehicles. Remember motorcycles do not have protective exteriors like other motor vehicles. Allow at least a 3 -second following distance behind a motorcycle during good driving conditions. In poor weather or wet roads increase the following distance to 5 -seconds. Be especially cautious at intersections & when entering or exiting driveways. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 27

How You Can Help ü ü Keep multi-tasking to a minimum – Focus on the primary task at hand, the safe operation of your vehicle. Drive Aware – Motorcycles are everywhere! “Have You Seen a Motorcycle Today? ” LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 28

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GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION Motorist Awareness Division THANK YOU! And Please - LOOK TWICE! November 2008 LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 31