The Indiana State Police (ISP) offer these motorcycle safety tips both for motorcycle riders and for passenger cars. The ISP has a safety flyer available for download.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
- Wear protective equipment and clothing, especially a helmet with face shield.
- Make yourself visible by wearing bright clothing, using reflective tape; your motorcycle’s headlight should be illuminated night and day.
- Always use turn signals when switching lanes and turning.
- Check your motorcycle before each ride and do not ride if any equipment is not operating properly.
- Look for road hazards. Be especially cautious around intersections, alleys, driveways, and other areas where an animal, pedestrian, or vehicle might enter your path.
- Avoid riding in other vehicles’ blind spots.
- Give yourself plenty of room. Never tailgate and leave enough time to react to unexpected movements from other vehicles.
- When operating a motorcycle during inclement weather slow down and use extra caution. Avoid sudden changes in direction or speed.
- Attend and complete an approved motorcycle operators safety course.
For Passenger Cars
- Watch attentively for motorcycles. Check blinds spots before switching lanes and look twice at intersections before you turn or pull out into traffic.
- Anticipate hazards that may confront a motorcyclist like large pot holes, debris, or generally poor road conditions. Allow at least two seconds of following distance between your vehicle and a motorcycle.
- Be cautious when turning left. This is when a majority of crashes between vehicles and motorcycles occur.
- Share the road. Remember, motorcyclists are entitled to operate in a full lane.
- Obey all traffic laws especially as they relate to using your turn signals when switching lanes and yielding to other vehicular traffic.
Be safe out there! We want to keep seeing your pretty face at Fink’s!
