At Utah Motorcycle Lawyers, we’re always happy to help you in the event of an accident, but we’d rather you never be in an accident in the first place. When it comes to preventing accidents, we believe prepared and cautious riding is the best defense. So, here are a few defensive driving techniques we can all brush up on.
Stay Focused
Especially when riding a bike, it’s important not to let yourself get distracted. Food and cellphone use are totally out of the question. Keeping your mind and body on the task at hand will go a long way towards keeping you safe.
Check Your Mirrors
If you want to prevent accidents from happening, it’s imperative that you are aware of your surroundings at all times. Check your side mirrors frequently. Make a habit of keeping track of the cars traveling on all sides of your bike. It’s important to watch out for your own safety when because other drivers rarely watch out for bikers.
Make Yourself Visible
It’s not always easy for drivers to see bikers on the road, so be sure to check on a regular basis that all of the lights on your bike are working properly. Once the sun starts to go down, your headlight will be your closest ally. Drivers are not always looking for bikes, so be sure to turn on your headlight so they can’t miss you.
Keep a Safe Distance
If you’re not following at a safe distance, your chances of rear-ending the car in front of you skyrocket. It’s important to remember that your bike does not stop as quickly as the cars around you, especially on wet or icy roads. Always stay a safe distance (about 3 to 5 seconds) away from the car in front of you. Remember that the faster you are going, the more distance you need to maintain between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Ride at a Reasonable Speed
Make sure that the speed at which you are traveling is suitable for the current road conditions. Always slow down when roads are wet, icy, or when there’s road construction. Don’t go faster than the traffic around you. Remember, the speed limit is just that—a limit.
We hope these tips will help you keep your rides fun and safe. If you are injured or need legal advice for any reason, let us know how we can help by filling out the form on the right side of this page, or by calling us at (801)506-0800.
Photo Via Flickr