Overview

1. 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 LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

2. 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. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

3. 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. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

4. 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. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

5. Who Rides Motorcycles LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 5

6. 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. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

7. Who Rides Motorcycles • The motorcycling community is a diverse cross section of our population. • Anyonemight 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 child’s teacher, your friend, neighbor, plumber, doctor, or even one of your family members. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

8. 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. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

9. Driver Distractions • In today’s 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. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

10. 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. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

11. 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! 11

12. Fixed Blind Spots They must be checked constantly for hazards before you take action! They exist around you and can be reduced, but are seldom eliminated. Hidden Hidden Hidden Seen Seen Seen March 2009 LOOK TWICE– Save a Life! 12

13. 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! 13

14. 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! 14

15. 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! 15

16. 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! 16

17. 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 won’t tailgate, and will position his/her vehicle to be seen by other traffic. March 2009 LOOK TWICE– Save a Life! 17

18. Rolling Blind Spots Any object blocking your view of vital information creates a Blind Spot! March 2009 LOOK TWICE– Save a Life! 18

19. 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! 19

20. 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! 20

21. Interior Obstructions March 2009 LOOK TWICE– Save a Life! 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. 21

22. 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 fixedBlind Spots. • Use your mirrors frequently and use head checks often to know what is in your fixedBlind 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 rollingBlind Spots. • Don’t proceed until you know the space you are about to enter is clear. No guessing!! March 2009 LOOK TWICE– Save a Life! 22

23. 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! 23

24. Left Turn Across Traffic One of the most common types of car – motorcycle collisions Driver turns left in front of motorcycle as though it isn’t even there! Why? LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 24

25. 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! 25

26. 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! 26

27. 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? That’s gonna hurt! LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 27

28. 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! 28

29. 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. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

30. 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?” LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

31. GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION Motorist Awareness Division THANK YOU! And Please - LOOK TWICE! LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! November 2008