Driving guide

Sharing the Road with Motorcycles

Motorcycles account for a disproportionate share of fatal crashes, and most of the crashes involving a car and a motorcycle are caused by the car driver failing to see the motorcyclist. The fix is a small set of habits applied consistently.

Look twice

Before you turn left across oncoming traffic or change lanes, look twice. The first scan picks up cars; the second scan often finds the motorcycle that the first scan missed. Motorcycles are narrow and can hide behind a car's A-pillar at exactly the wrong moment.

Increase following distance

A motorcycle can stop in a much shorter distance than a car. The three-second rule is not enough; use four seconds when following a motorcycle so you do not run them over if they brake hard.

Lane position respect

Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane. Do not try to share. Lane splitting — riding between lanes of stopped or slow traffic — is legal in some states and illegal in others; either way, do not change lanes when you see a motorcyclist filtering through traffic.