Keeping Motorcycle Riders Safe: A Guide for Drivers

Riding around on a motorcycle can be an inherently unsafe activity. Unlike other drivers on the road, motorcyclists have minimal protection in the event of a crash. While they’re expected to follow the rules of the road in order to avoid potential accidents, they depend on you to keep them safe on the road as well. Whether you have a host of motorcycle riders in your area or you simply wish to know how to drive safely no matter what type of vehicle you encounter, here are a few helpful driving tips that will allow you to protect motorcyclists. 

Avoid Distracted Driving

Driving when you’re distracted may only result in a minor fender bender with the driver in front of you. But when you’re driving while distracted near a motorcycle, you could end up crashing into them and causing major injuries or even a fatality. No matter who’s on the road, it’s always in your best interest to pay full attention to driving. Otherwise, avoid driving or pull over until the thing that is distracting you is gone. 

Treat a Motorcycle Like How You Would Treat a Car

A motorcycle might be smaller, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t adhere to the same rules you would with cars. Giving yourself enough space when you’re riding behind them, taking care not to cut them off, and otherwise acting as if they were a full-sized car will keep both you and motorcycle riders safe. 

Remember That Motorcycles May Not Have Self-Canceling Turn Signals

All cars after 1973 have been required to feature self-canceling turn signals. But what about motorcycles? While some do, many others don’t. More than that, you’re far more likely to encounter someone driving around a classic motorcycle than you might a driver riding in a car from before 1973. Because motorcycles don’t have self-cancelling turn signals, it’s important to give them time to turn and to make sure that is what they’re doing. Some riders may forget to turn it off, which can be problematic if you assume they’re turning and collide with them. 

Carefully Pass a Motorcycle When You Need to

Passing a car is something that you might not do without a second thought. But it’s important to be careful when you’re passing a motorcycle. If you pass a motorcycle rider too fast, the gust of wind can give them trouble on their bikes. If the gust of wind is strong enough, they may lose control of their motorcycle and crash. When you need to pass a motorcycle, take your time so that the rider is safe after you’ve passed them. 

Always Check Your Blind Spots When Switching Lanes or Turning

Motorcycles are much less noticeable than other cars on the road, making them harder to catch when you’re looking out for the usual traffic you encounter. Before you switch lanes or turn, always look for motorcyclists behind you. A crash like this can be fatal for motorcycle riders, which is why it’s essential to look for them before making any move on the road that they aren’t able to anticipate. 

Being a motorcycle rider comes with a great deal of responsibility. However, there’s only so much they can do in order to keep themselves safe. Unless other drivers on the road take care to educate themselves and work to protect them, they could very well find themselves in an accident that leaves them injured or worse. In 2024, there were more than 1,100 motorcycle accidents, resulting in 104 deaths in just the state of Kentucky. Do your part to protect motorcycle riders and learn how to properly navigate motorcycle riders on the road with the tips offered in the guide above. It just might save a life!

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