Sharing The Roadway Chapter 8 Interacting With Motorcyclists

Sharing The Roadway Chapter 8

Interacting With Motorcyclists • In collisions, who is usually at fault? • Why are injuries so often severe? • Exposed position of the driver

Using the IPDE Process to Protect Motorcyclists • Drivers are usually alert for larger vehicles • Motorcycles are smaller • Move within lane • Drivers need to take extra care to be aware of motorcyclists

Identification • Size and location of lights • Small size makes it difficult to judge speed – Especially at night • Identify places where motorcycles might be – Scanning

Where do I look? • Motorcycles can travel several places in the lane • Turning left; check planned path • Turning right; check blind spot and mirrors • Motorcyclist passing car; intersections

Where do I look? Continued • Tailgating motorcyclists; increase your interval • Motorcyclists riding in the blind spot – Big picture – Changing lanes

Passing a Motorcyclist • Stay well back until you intend to pass • Use entire left lane when passing • Return to lane only after you can see the motorcyclist in your rearview mirror

Protecting Motorcyclists • Motorcyclists can lack experience and skill – Rented or borrowed • Handling traits of Motorcycles – Road and weather conditions • Increase following distance • Make the motorcyclist aware of you – Do not assume

Use of Protective Equipment • Motorcyclists must protect themselves • Helmet • Eye protection • Heavy shoes or boots • Full-length pants and jacket made of heavy material • Gloves

Adverse Weather Conditions • Filled potholes • Immediately after rain begins • No windshield wipers • Cautious around RR crossings and painted lines……Very slippery • Harder to see them

Motorcyclists Crossing Railroad Tracks • Tires can get caught in grooves • Cross at RIGHT angle – As long as they stay in their lane • Give them room and expect them to take the tracks slow

How Motorcyclists Can Help Car Drivers • Be visible in traffic – Lane positioning • Ride in groupsstaggered position • Riding at night – Reflective tape – Light colored clothing

Bicyclists Responsibilities • • • Follow all rules of motorists Ride on the right side of the road Walk across intersections Light colored clothing, reflectors Do not listen to headphones

Protecting Bicyclists • • Give them extra space Start passing maneuver well ahead Alert bicyclist of your presence- horn Reduce speed

Mopeds and Motor Scooters • Moped: motor driven bicycle • Motor scooters: low powered motorcycles • Most states require operators to have a drivers license, some require special license • Restricted high speed roadways

Pedestrians • • • Children and elderly at highest risk Yield to pedestrians They may not even look for cars May stand in street instead of curb Alleys and driveways Jogging areas

Buses • Rules for Buses • Railroad crossings • Other buses

Emergency Vehicles • Find a safe place on right side of road • Pull over to side and come to a stop • Wait until emergency vehicle passes • Check for another before proceeding

Interacting With Trucks • Three classifications of trucks – light, medium, heavy • Tractor trailers – tractor-semi-trailer (eighteen wheeler) – double trailer – triple trailers

Following Trucks • Take longer to stop, except on wet roads • Leave a greater interval • Trucks blind spot (No Zones) • Drive near the left Part of the lane

Meeting Trucks • Move slightly to the right of your lane • May feel a wind gust • Hold the steering wheel firmly

Passing Trucks • Can travel as fast as cars • When possible pass when driver is shifting • Must be done legally • Use caution • No Zone

Trucks Making Right Turns • Make very wide turns • Stay far behind • Stay out of the open space to the right of the turn • Never pass the truck on the right – May be turning – AAA video – Sharing the Road with Big Trucks (8 min) – SMART Video (12 min. )