23
“SIPDE”
Good experienced riders remain aware of what is going on around them. They
improve their riding strategy by using “SIPDE”—a five-step process used to
make appropriate judgments—and by applying the steps correctly in different
traffic situations:
•
S
can
•
I
dentify
•
P
redict
•
D
ecide
•
E
xecute
Let’s examine each of these steps.
Scan
Search aggressively ahead, to the sides, and behind to avoid potential hazards
even before they arise. How assertively you search, and how much time and
space you have, can eliminate or reduce harm. Focus even more on finding
potential escape routes in or around intersections, shopping areas, school zones,
and construction zones.
Search for:
•
Oncoming traffic
that may turn left in front of you.
•
Traffic
coming from the left and right.
•
Traffic
approaching from behind.
Be especially alert in areas with limited visibility. Visually “busy” surroundings
could hide you and your motorcycle from others.
Identify
Locate hazards and potential conflicts. Hazards fall into the following three
categories:
•
Other vehicles
— may move into your path and increase collision risk.
•
Pedestrians and animals
— are unpredictable, make short, quick
moves, and depending on their size, can create an imposing hazard.
•
Stationary objects
— potholes, guard rails, bridges, roadway signs,
hedges, tire debris, lumber, or trees won’t move into your path, but
failing to recognize them can be hazardous.
Predict
Consider the speed, distance, and direction of hazards to anticipate how they
may affect you. Cars moving into your path are more critical than those moving
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