Busy streets demand attention, quick thinking, and awareness. Every motorist and motorcyclist needs to be fully switched on every time they join the roads, and it is vital that you know how to protect yourself and other road users. This post will act as a practical guide to reducing risk and navigating the roads with confidence. Keep reading to find out more.
Stay Visible & Predictable
First, you must make sure that you are always visible and predictable on the roads at all times. For motorcyclists, this means wearing reflective clothing, using your lights, and clear signalling. Being easily visible to other road users will lower the risk of collision, particularly in low-visibility conditions like fog or at night. Additionally, make sure that you always indicate early when turning to give drivers more time to react and so that you do not take anyone by surprise.
Anticipate & Respond to Hazards
Every motorist and motorcyclist should be constantly scanning the road ahead and looking out for potential hazards. This means paying close attention to tricky areas like intersections, monitoring blind spots, and anticipating sudden stops. By constantly scanning the road ahead, you will be able to react quickly if a car suddenly cuts across a lane or a pedestrian crosses at the wrong time. This is a huge reason why it is so important to keep distractions to a minimum when driving.
Maintain Your Vehicle or Bike
Vehicle maintenance is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, aspects of ownership. Regular maintenance of your car or bike will keep it in the best condition, prevent breakdowns, and prolong the life of the vehicle. In addition to this, maintenance can improve reaction time and overall control. Therefore, you should perform basic tasks like checking the tyre tread depth and pressure, changing the engine oil, topping up fluids, and testing the brakes. On top of all this, make sure that you keep up with the recommended service schedule.
Understand Legal Options
Finally, you need to be aware of your legal options. Even if you stay visible, drive safely, and maintain your vehicle, you are at risk on the road due to other motorists. If you are ever injured in an accident that was not your fault, you could be entitled to compensation. Motorcycle accident claims are common because they are vulnerable road users, and even a slow-speed collision can lead to significant injuries.
Safety must always be paramount when you take to the roads. Whether you are driving a car or a motorcycle, safe practices combined with awareness reduce the risk of accidents. Preparation and vigilance create confidence in busy traffic, so hopefully the information in this post will be useful and help you to not just stay safe on the road but also feel confident at all times.
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