Drivers should do their part to keep motorcycle riders safe

It is important to help keep motorcycle riders safe on Washington’s scenic roadways. All drivers should do their part and be familiar with driver safety tips that can help keep motorcycles safe while sharing the road. Here are some safety tips for motorcyclists.

Share the roadway

It is important for drivers of passenger and other vehicles to share the roadway with motorcyclists by allowing them their full lane to travel in and to never attempt to share a lane with a motorcycle.

Keep your distance

It is important for drivers of passenger and other vehicles to increase their traveling distance when following a motorcycle. This is because motorcycles require more time to respond to abrupt changes in lane, roadway, weather and traffic conditions and may need that extra time and space to safely navigate.

Remain alert and attentive

It is important, as always, for drivers of passenger and other vehicles to remain alert, attentive and focused on the roadway. The majority of motorcycle accidents occur when a vehicle is turning left in front of a motorcycle and fails to yield the motorcycle’s right of way. When a motorcycle accident occurs because of driver error, it is most commonly because the driver of the other vehicle failed to yield the right of way to the motorcycle. Motorcycles are smaller visual targets so drivers should take a second look for them regularly and at intersections.

In addition to being smaller visual targets, motorcyclists have fewer protections on the roadways. Motorcycle accidents can result in serious and catastrophic injuries for motorcycle accident victims. For that reason, motorcycle accident victims should be familiar with the legal protections available to them when an unsafe and negligent driver has harmed them.