The purpose of this seminar is to make you more Familiar with motorcycles. In this presentation we will discuss:

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Overview

• The purpose of this seminar is to make you more
  Familiar with motorcycles. In this presentation
  we will discuss
• Why Familiarity Helps
• Who Rides Motorcycles
• Road Hazards
• Why Motorists Collide with Motorcycles
• Blind Spots
• Driver Distractions
• How You Can Help

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Familiarity

• 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)
• Becoming familiar with motorcycles reduces the
  odds that one day you will have a collision with
  one.

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Familiarity

• 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 more
  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.

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Familiarity

• 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.

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Who Rides Motorcycles

LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Who Rides Motorcycles

• 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.

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Who Rides Motorcycles

• The motorcycling community is a diverse cross
  section of our population.
• Anyone might ride a motorcycle! Sometimes even
  children ride as passengers.
• Riders are real people, just like you, with
  families that love and depend on them, just like
  you!
• The motorcyclist next to you in traffic could be
  your childs teacher, your friend, neighbor,
  plumber, doctor, or even one of your family
  members.

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Why Motorists Collide with Motorcycles

• Motorists fail to look for motorcycles.
  Motorists are familiar with looking for other
  motorists, not motorcycles.

• Due to their smaller size, motorists often
  misjudge a motorcycles speed distance.

• Driver distractions or inattention.

• Motorcycle is temporarily obscured from
  motorist view as the result of a blind spot.

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Driver Distractions

• In todays society motorists are diverting more
  more attention away from the primary task of
  the safe operation of their vehicle.

• Passengers, eating, smoking, shaving, applying
  make-up, reading, and managing audio systems are
  all traditional driver distractions.

• Now we add cellular telephones and navigation
  systems to the mix of other distractions.

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Driver Distractions

• 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.

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What Types of Blind Spots Are There?

• We will discuss 4 types of Blind Spots
• Areas around your car that you cannot see in your
  mirrors are commonly called Blind Spots.
• Stationary objects that hide things from your
  view produce a second kind of Blind Spot.
• Moving vehicles also block your view of the
  driving environment creating a third type of
  Blind Spot.
• Finally, things inside your car can also obstruct
  your view and create Blind Spots.

March 2009
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Fixed Blind Spots
They exist around you and can be reduced, but are
seldom eliminated.
They must be checked constantly for hazards
before you take action!
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Seen
Seen
Seen
March 2009
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Shifting Blind Spots

• Any object that blocks your view of potential
  hazards can affect your decision making ability.
• If the object is stationary, the Blind Spot
  shifts around the object as you drive past it.
• Examples
• Bus stop shelter, phone booth, or light pole on a
  corner as you approach an intersection. Others?
• The bigger the object, the more it can hide.
• Do you think a light pole can hide a motorcycle
  from a driver when approaching an intersection?

March 2009
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Shifting Blind Spots
As you approach a fixed object, you can imagine a
shadow cast behind it from your point of view.
The space behind an object can hide a pedestrian,
motorcycle, car, or other hazard!
March 2009
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Shifting Blind Spots
Until you pass the object, you must be careful to
double check both sides of the shaded space.
As you get closer to the object, its shadow
rotates around the object, and blocks out a
growing space.
March 2009
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Shifting Blind Spots
The closer a fixed object is to the corner, the
more caution you must use. Proceed carefully!
By constantly scanning ahead as you approach, you
may see objects before they enter the Blind Spot.
March 2009
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Rolling Blind Spots

• Other traffic creates rolling Blind Spots
  whether your vehicle is stopped or moving.
• From your position behind the wheel, the rolling
  Blind Spot moves through your field of view.
• A truck can block your view of traffic both
  behind it and on the other side of the truck.
• An approaching SUV can easily hide a motorcycle
  traveling behind it.
• A smart motorcyclist or driver wont tailgate,
  and will position his/her vehicle to be seen by
  other traffic.

March 2009
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Rolling Blind Spots
Any object blocking your view of vital
information creates a Blind Spot!
March 2009
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Rolling Blind Spots
As the object moves, the Blind Spot moves with
it, changing in size but continuing to hide
Information.
March 2009
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Rolling Blind Spots
How do we reduce the possibility of an incident
when the information is not available?
Be patient. Make sure there are no hazards hidden
in the Blind Spot. Look Twice!
March 2009
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Interior Obstructions

• Things inside your car can block our view of the
  driving environment and cause even more Blind
  Spots.
• It can be something you decorate your car with,
  your children or pets, or even structural
  components of the car.
• They may seem harmless enough but can cause big
  problems while driving in traffic.

March 2009
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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How Do We Eliminate Blind Spots?

• Some are going to be there no matter what.
• Be prepared to deal with each type.
• How can you reduce the risk?
• Adjust your mirrors to minimize fixed Blind
  Spots.
• Use your mirrors frequently and use head checks
  often to know what is in your fixed Blind Spots.
• Always know what is around you in case of an
  emergency.
• Scan the road ahead continuously for potential
  hazards, moving objects, things that will create
  Blind Spots.
• Take extra time to find out what is hidden from
  your view by shifting and rolling Blind Spots.
• Dont proceed until you know the space you are
  about to enter is clear. No guessing!!

March 2009
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Hazardous Driving Scenarios

• Actions by drivers in everyday traffic that pose
  the greatest risk to motorcyclists
• Turning across oncoming traffic.
• Left or right turn at intersection from a stop.
• Blind spots temporarily hiding motorcycles.
• Unsafe following distances.

LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Left Turn Across Traffic
One of the most common types of car motorcycle
collisions
Driver turns left in front of motorcycle as
though it isnt even there! Why?
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Right Turn at Intersection
Single headlight and narrow profile make it
difficult to judge distance and speed of the
oncoming motorcycle.
Failure to yield Right-of-Way! What are the
possible results?
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Left Turn at Intersection
Again, failure to yield the Right-of-Way! What
actions can drivers take to avoid this?
Similar situation with a left turn, but now
driver is concerned about crossing another lane
of traffic first.
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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Unsafe Following Distance

• Both vehicles are traveling the posted speed
  55mph
• The car is ½ second (40) behind the sidecar in
  deer country

What happens when the sidecar rider encounters an
emergency situation?
Thats gonna hurt!
LOOK TWICE Save a Life!
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How You Can Help

• 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!
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How You Can Help

• 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.

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How You Can Help

• 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?

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GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION Motorist
Awareness Division
THANK YOU! And Please - LOOK TWICE!
November 2008