Motorcyclists: Beware of Left-Turning Vehicles.
| September 18th, 2017
As a motorcyclist, you face many threats every time you head out on California’s roadways. From potholes and slick roads to speeding drivers and fallen tree limbs, even a leisurely cruise through town can be fraught with peril if you aren’t cautious and committed to safe riding. And while all of those pose significant danger to motorcyclists like you, many riders are unaware of another common cause of deadly accidents: left-turning vehicles. Because drivers are accustomed to looking for other vehicles, they’re more likely to make left turns directly in the path of oncoming motorcyclists than they are in the path of oncoming cars, trucks, and SUVs. You can help protect yourself from these types of accidents by:- Traveling at a safe speed. Riding at or below the speed limit gives you more time to react when a potentially dangerous situation occurs—including times when drivers turn left and cut you off. It’s especially important to reduce your speed as you approach intersections and areas where vehicles frequently cut across multiple lanes of traffic to make left turns.
- Using proper breaking techniques. Not all left-turn motorcycle accidents involve collisions between a vehicle and a motorcycle. Motorcyclists often suffer injuries in these scenarios because they’re forced to apply their brakes to slow down or stop to avoid hitting the vehicle. Proper braking techniques can help keep you upright and off the pavement, even during situations that require an immediate reduction in speed.
