As a rider you can't be sure that other operators will see you or yield the right-of-way. To lessen your chances of an accident occurring:

• Be visible–wear proper clothing, use your headlight, ride in the best lane position.
• Communicate your intentions–use the proper signals, brake light, and lane position.
• Maintain an adequate space cushion–following, being followed, lane sharing, passing and being passed.
• Scan your path of travel 10 to 15 seconds ahead.
• Identify and separate multiple hazards.
• Be prepared to act–remain alert and know how to carry out proper accident-avoidance skills.

Blame does not matter when someone is injured in a crash. There is rarely a single cause of a accident. The ability to ride alertly, make critical decisions, and carry them out separates responsible riders from all the rest. Remember, it is up to you to keep from being the cause of, or an unprepared participant in, any accident.

BEING SEEN

Drivers of vehicles involved in accidents with motorcycles often say that they never saw the motorcycle. From ahead or from behind, its outline is only one-third to one-half the size of a car's. The saying "You can't hit what you can't see" just doesn't apply to motorcycles. Even if a driver does see you coming, you are not necessarily safe. Smaller vehicles appear farther away and seem to be travelling slower than they actually are. Most drivers think they have plenty of time and pull out in front of a motorcycle. Too often, they are wrong.

However, motorcycle riders can help to make the motorcycle more noticeable.

HEADLIGHT

The best thing you can do to make the motorcycle visible to oncoming drivers is to keep the headlight on– at all times. Studies show that during daylight hours a motorcycle with its lights on becomes twice as noticeable to oncoming drivers. A modulated beam headlight (one that flickers) is legal on motorcycles in California, but not after dark.

CLOTHING

Brightly colored, reflective helmets and clothing help make riders more noticeable. Remember, your body is half the visible surface area of the rider/motorcycle unit. Bright orange, yellow, and green jackets or vests are the best for being seen. Reflective tape on clothing helps others to see you. It can also be put on your helmet or on the motorcycle. Brightly colored helmets can help others see you.

If you do not want to wear brightly-colored clothing, at least carry a reflective vest to wear at night. Such a vest is more noticeable to drivers behind you than a taillight.

HORN

The horn on a motorcycle is not much of an attention getter, but it is better than nothing. Put your thumb on it and be ready to use it whenever you are passing a vehicle.

It is a good idea to give a quick toot before you pass anyone you think may move into your lane. Here are some situations:

• A car is in the lane next to you and coming up behind a vehicle ahead.
  

• A parked car that has a person in the driver's seat.
  
• Someone is walking or riding a bicycle in the street.

Don't be afraid to give a blast on the horn if you have any doubts about what others might do. In an emergency, press the horn loud and long. Be ready to stop or swerve away from danger.

POSITION

Keep your motorcycle where other drivers can see it. Here are some ways to do it:

• Don't ride in another driver's "blind spot." Either pass the other driver or drop back. When passing a vehicle, get through the blind spot as quickly as you can. Approach cautiously, but once you are alongside, speed up and get by quickly.
  
• When approaching a cross street, move toward the center of the road so that you are closer to the other driver's line of sight.
  

• Try to ride where you can see the rearview mirror of the car ahead. This way, the other driver is more likely to see you and know you are there. Also, when your headlight is on, it will help the other driver notice you.
  

• When parking the motorcycle, angle it at the curb so that other drivers will see your motorcycle and won't drive into the parking place. Also, the driver of the vehicle parked ahead of you is more likely to see your motorcycle in the rearview mirror before backing up.

The signals that a motorcycle rider uses are the same as those used by the driver of a vehicle. However, signals are far more important to the motorcycle rider.

TURN SIGNALS

Turn signals do two things. First, they tell others what you plan to do. Use them any time you are going to turn or change lanes. Use them even when you think no one else is around. It is the vehicle you don't see that will give you the most trouble. Secondly, signal lights make you morevisible. A driver behind you is more likely to see a turn signal than a taillight. Therefore, it is a good idea to use turn signals even when you plan to do the obvious. For example, it is more likely that cars on the freeway will see you and make room for you.

CAUTION: Not turning off a signal is as bad as not turning it on. It is dangerous to leave a turn signal blinking. A driver may think you plan to turn and pull right into your path. Check the instrument panel so that you will notice if a signal is still on. Use your signals at every turn or lane change so drivers can react correctly. Do not make them guess what you intend to do.

The motorcycle's brake light is not usually as noticeable as the brake lights on a car, particularly if the taillight is on (it goes on with the headlight). You can help others notice you by tapping the brake pedal to flash the brake light before slowing down. It is important to do this when you are:

• Being closely followed. The tailgater may be watching you and not see something ahead that will make you slow down.
  
• Making a tight turn off a high-speed highway.
  
• Slowing or turning in the middle of a block, at an alley, or at some place where others do not expect it.

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