The best protection you can have is distance between yourself and others. If someone else makes a mistake, distance gives you two things:

• Time to react.
  
• Some place to go.

DISTANCE IN FRONT

Following too closely is a major factor in accidents caused by motorcyclists. Motorcycles need as much distance to stop as cars. Under ordinary conditions, try to keep at least three seconds distance between you and the vehicle ahead. This gives you plenty of time to react if the driver ahead stops suddenly. It also gives you a better view of things in the road, such as potholes, slippery spots, chunks of tire tread, or other objects.

A larger cushion of space is needed if your motorcycle will take longer than normal to stop. If the pavement is slippery, if you cannot see through the vehicle ahead, or if traffic is heavy and someone may squeeze in front of you, open up a four second or more following distance.

Keep well behind the vehicle ahead even when you are stopped. This will make it easier to get out of the way if someone bears down on you from behind. It will also give you a cushion of space if the vehicle ahead starts to back up for some reason.

DISTANCE TO THE SIDE

The motorcycle rider can do one thing the driver of a vehicle cannot. He or she can move from one side of the lane to the other to increase the distance from other vehicles. An experienced rider changes position as traffic conditions change.

Here are some of the conditions that require changes in lane position:

Being passed

Whenever you are being passed from behind or by an oncoming vehicle, move closer to the center of the lane(but watch for oil, gravel, etc.). There is no point in being nearer to a passing vehicle than necessary. A slight mistake by either driver could cause a sideswipe. A position closer to the center of the lane also keeps you out of the way of extended mirrors or things thrown from car windows, but does not invite other drivers to share the lane.

Give way to large trucks. They can create gusts that affect control. There is more room for error if you are close to the middle of your lane.

Do not move into the portion of the lane farthest from the passing vehicle. It might invite the other driver to cut back into your lane too early.

Passing

When you pass a vehicle, ride in the left portion of the lane at a safe following distance to increase your line of sight and make you more visible. Signal and check for oncoming traffic. Use your mirrors and check behind you.

Move into the left lane and accelerate. Select a lane position that will not crowd the vehicle you are passing and provides space to avoid hazards in your lane. Ride through the driver's blind spot as quickly as possible. Signal again, check mirrors, and look over your shoulder before returning to your original lane.

Cars at intersections

Most accidents between cars and motorcycles happen at intersections. The two leading causes of motorcycle accidents at intersections are:

• A vehicle turning left in front of a motorcycle.
• A vehicle pulling out from a side street into the motorcycle's path. If a vehicle can enter your path, assume that it will enter your path.
• Move as far away from the vehicle as possible. If the vehicle is on your right, move to the left. For a vehicle on your left or an oncoming vehicle with a left turn signal on, move to the right.
• Approach slowly. If a driver does pull out suddenly, your chances of making a quick stop or a quick turn are better.

Parked vehicles

When passing parked vehicles, the motorcycle rider has an advantage over the automobile driver. By staying in the left portion of the lane, the problems caused by doors opening, drivers getting out of vehicles, or people stepping from between vehicles can be avoided.

A bigger problem is vehicles pulling out. Drivers often take a quick look behind them but fail to see a motorcycle. Cars making U-turns are a particular danger. The motorcyclist sees them pull out and slows down or changes lanes to let them enter. Then suddenly the vehicle turns across the road blocking the lane which leaves the motorcyclist with no place to go. If you see a car pulling out, approach very cautiously.

Sharing lanes

Sharing lanes is not illegal in California. However, in many driving situations, it can be unsafe to share a lane with another vehicle. In the interest of motorcycle safety, vehicle drivers should not share lanes with motorcycles and motorcycle riders should not share lanes with vehicles.

As a motorcycle rider, there are two things you can do to prevent lane sharing. First, don't ride between rows of slow moving vehicles; this maneuver is unsafe. Don't try to squeeze past a stopped car in the same lane. Anything can happen. A hand could come out a window, a door could open, a car could turn suddenly. Secondly discourage lane sharing by moving toward the center of the lane in situations where other drivers might be tempted to squeeze by you. Such situations include:

• Heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic.
• When preparing to turn at an intersection, enter an exit lane, or leave the highway.
• When another driver wants to pass.

If you move to the far side of the lane in these situations, you invite the driver to share the lane with you.

Merging cars

Cars entering a highway from an entrance ramp may have trouble seeing a motorcycle. The headlight on the motorcycle is not very visible at an angle, so don't assume that a driver on an entrance ramp sees you. Give them plenty of room. Change lanes or make space to let the driver in.

Cars alongside

Don't ride alongside cars. A car in the next lane could change into your lane at any time and also block your escape if you run into danger in your own lane. Speed up or drop back until you find a place that is clear on both sides.

DISTANCE BEHIND

Many riders complain about "tailgaters." If someone is following too closely, change lanes and let the tailgater pass. If this isn't possible, give the tailgater a gentle hand signal and be sure to give a friendly thank you signal when the other driver drops back.

If a driver still follows too closely, try this:

• Open up additional following distance from the car ahead. This gives you and the tailgater more time to react in an emergency.
  
• When the way is clear for a safe pass, slow down so the tailgater can pass you.

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