Let’s examine each of these steps.
SEARCH
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 and school and construction zones.
Search for factors such as:
•
Oncoming traffic
that may turn left in front of you.
•
Traffic
coming from the left and right.
•
Traffic
approaching from behind.
•
Hazardous
road conditions.
Be especially alert in areas with limited visibility. Visually “busy” surroundings could hide you and your motorcycle from others.
EVALUATE
Think about how hazards can interact to create risk for you. Anticipate potential problems and have a plan to reduce risk.
•
Road and surface characteristics
— Potholes, guardrails, bridges, telephone poles and trees won’t move into your path but may
infuence your riding strategy.
•
Traffic control devices
—Look for traffic signals, including regulatory signs, warning signs, and pavement markings, to help you
evaluate circumstances ahead.
•
Vehicles and other traffic
— May move into your path and increase the likelihood of a crash.
Think about your time and space requirements in order to maintain a margin of safety.
You must leave yourself time to react if an emergency arises.
EXECUTE
Carry out your decision.
To create more space and minimize harm from any hazard:
•
Communicate
your presence with lights and/or horn.
•
Adjust your speed
by accelerating, stopping or slowing.
•
Adjust your position
and/or direction.
Apply the old adage “one step at a time” to handle two or more hazards. Adjust speed to permit two hazards to separate. Then deal with them one
at a time as single hazards. Decision making becomes more complex with three or more hazards. Weigh the consequences of each and give equal
distance to the hazards.
In potential high-risk areas, such as intersections, shopping areas and school and construction zones, cover the clutch and both brakes to reduce
the time you need to react.
INTERSECTIONS
The greatest potential for conflict between you and other traffic is at intersections. An intersection can be in the middle of an urban area or at a
driveway on a residential street—anywhere traffic may cross your path of travel. Over one-half of motorcycle/car crashes are caused by drivers
entering a rider’s right-of-way. Cars that turn left in front of you, including cars turning left from the lane to your right, and cars on side streets that
pull into your lane, are the biggest dangers. Your use of SEE [p. 13] at intersections is critical.
There are no guarantees that others see you. Never count on “eye contact” as a sign that a driver will yield. Too often, a driver looks right at a
motorcyclist and still fails to “see” him. The only eyes that you can count on are your own. If a car can enter your path, assume that it will. Good
riders are always “looking for trouble”—not to get into it, but to stay out of it.
Increase your chances of being seen at intersections. Ride with your headlight on in a lane position that provides the best view of oncoming
traffic. Provide a space cushion around the motorcycle that permits you to take evasive action. As you approach the intersection, select a lane
position to increase your visibility to the driver. Cover the clutch and both brakes to reduce reaction time.
Reduce your speed as you approach an intersection. After entering the intersection, move away from vehicles preparing to turn. Do not change
speed or position radically. The driver might think that you are preparing to turn.
14
SMALL INTERSECTIONS
LARGE INTERSECTIONS
5
Test Yourself
To reduce your reaction time, you should:
A. Ride slower than the speed limit.
B. Cover the clutch and the brakes.
C. Shift into neutral when slowing.
D. Pull in the clutch when turning.
Answer - page 25
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