Riding a motorcycle can be quite dangerous. You are not offered the same protection that you would have in a car, for instance. Combine that with a lot of aggressive or distracted drivers out there and it is a recipe for disaster. It is very important for you to avoid an accident even if it wouldn’t be your fault. This means that you have to take on some new riding habits.
There are some defensive driving techniques that every motorcycle rider should know about. Since you have to be extra vigilant about your safety then these techniques will likely help you avoid an accident. In this article, we will go over some of the tips you need to be a defensive driver on a motorcycle.
Don’t drive distracted
Being aware at all times is going to save you from finding yourself in a situation you are not prepared for. If you are distracted then you will not have time to react to somebody stopping quickly ahead of you or turning to cut you off. You have to expect these things and be ready to react in a fraction of a second. Anything that prevents you from reacting needs to be avoided.
This means that you should be doing things like checking your GPS coordinates on your phone or trying to text while you are riding. Even listening to music with headphones is not a great idea since you may not hear a siren or somebody beeping to alert you to a problem. Though, it is a good idea to wear a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet so you can communicate with your riding partner as this is different from listening to music.
Keep your eyes on the road and you will not be caught unaware which gives you time to react and avoid the accident.
Don’t drive aggressively
Aggressive drivers are going to cause an accident at some point in their life. It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when. Even if you don’t directly cause an accident as a result of your driving, you also won’t be able to avoid one if you drive aggressively.
Driving aggressively means passing a car in a dangerous area such as a curve or on a narrow street. It means that you are not paying attention to the signs such as watching out for a school zone where kids cross the street or that you are driving too fast in a residential zone.
Take classes
A professional can teach you some maneuvers to help you avoid an accident or injury in case of an accident. No matter how much experience you have as a motorcycle rider you can learn a lot from motorcycle driving lessons. They can serve as a refresher to remind you of tips that you may have forgotten.
