Want to Prevent a Motorcycle Accident? Take Steps to Be Sure Other Drivers Can See You and Your Bike

Many motorcycle accidents happen at intersections. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that almost one-third of multi-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle occur when a motorist fails to yield the right-of-way and makes a left turn into the path of the motorcycle. One of the most common reasons drivers give for failing to yield is that they did not see the motorcyclist.

A motorcyclist has only his helmet and riding gear to protect him in an accident, so one careless mistake can result in severe injuries or even death. Therefore, it makes sense to do everything possible to be sure that other drivers can see you as you ride your bike in Rockford and the surrounding area.

Increasing Your Visibility

Following are some tips to help ensure that you are visible to other drivers:

• Ride a brightly colored bike. While black motorcycles look cool, they tend to blend in with the surroundings. Brighter colors, such as white, yellow, or red, are easier for other motorists to see.
• Wear bright safety gear. Light-colored or reflective riding gear is a great way to make a motorcycle more visible to other motorists.
• Add reflective tape. Another practical way to increase visibility is to purchase reflective tape and apply it to your helmet and saddlebags.
• Increase your visual profile. In addition to using the turn signals on your motorcycle, use hand signals to alert other drivers that you will be turning. Just be sure to keep both hands on the handlebars during the actual turn.
• Ride with your high beams on during the day. Motorcycle headlights are always on when the bike is running. However, during the day, turning on your high beams can add additional visibility.

Please share these tips with fellow motorcyclists on Facebook, Twitter, or Google Plus. They may help to keep a friend safe as he travels down Guilford Road in Rockford or heads west on Illinois Route 2 towards Byron.