Tips for Motorcyclists and Motorists

Safe riding starts before hitting the road. Proper training, routine maintenance, and responsible gear choices are essential. Riders should stay alert, use effective techniques, avoid distractions, stay sober, and wear the right gear. By prioritizing safety, motorcyclists can enjoy safe riding.

• Always wear high-quality riding gear designed to protect the rider during a fall. This includes over-the-ankle boots, full finger gloves with padding in addition to jackets and pants with armor protection at impact points.
   
• Protect your melon! Always wear a DOT-approved helmet and eye protection. "Novelty Helmets" are not DOT-approved and offer little protection to the rider in a crash. In fact, they are illegal to wear on New York roadways.
  
  Learn More About Safety Gear
   
• Maintain your motorcycle properly. Ensure all of your lights and your horn are working and both mirrors are adjusted. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and have legal tread depth. Good traction is a key component to safe handling and braking in normal and adverse situations.
  
  Learn more about Motorcycle License Ownership
   

• Be conspicuous. Wear high-visibility vests, garments with reflector features and accessories to boost your visibility to other drivers. 
   
• Let other motorists know your intentions. Signal when you turn with your directional lights. Consider also using hand signals – these signals, combined with directional lights can help you be seen!
  • When downshifting, consider flashing your brake light periodically before you stop to alert drivers behind you to be cautious!
     
• Turn left with caution. Most crashes between cars and motorcycles involve turning left. If you are preparing to cross traffic or turn left, take a second look to make sure it is safe to proceed.
   
• Maintain a high level of awareness. Scan the roadway constantly for dangers and ride alert. If you are tired, stop, take a break and re-energize to boost your concentration.
   

• Slow Down! Unsafe speed accounts for one-third of all single-vehicle motorcycle crashes.  Take your time and maintain control of the motorcycle. 
   
• Drive sober. If after you consume alcohol, drugs, or prescription medicine you feel different, don’t ride.  Discourage other riders from making a bad choice and riding if they feel different.
   
• Allow adequate space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Use the "two second" rule as a safety zone.
   
• Observe and obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals.
   

• Watch for motorcycles. Be aware of motorcycles sharing our roadways during all seasons, but particularly during the spring and summer months when riding is most popular. Allow for adequate space in front of, next to, and behind motorcyclists. 
   
• Yield to motorcycles — don't make a rash decision and turn quickly in front of an on-coming motorcycle as it may be traveling faster than it appears! Failure of a motorist to yield to a motorcycle remains the leading contributing factor in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes. 
   
• Look Twice and Save a Life! Check your mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes. Also, when negotiating busy intersections, look twice for motorcycles before proceeding safely! They have a smaller frontal area and may be hard to see.
  • Did you know that most crashes occur when a motorcycle is making a left turn? Don’t become a statistic. Fully stop at stop signs and look both ways. 
     
• Be a responsible driver. Ensure your vehicle is in safe operating condition and that all of your safety equipment is properly adjusted. Observe and obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals.
   
• Stay focused on the road and your surroundings. Never drive distracted. Don't let cell phones and other activities distract you from your core mission — driving safely!
   
• Drive sober. Never drive impaired by alcohol or drugs and discourage others from doing so. Impaired driving is an indiscriminate killer with no demographic barriers!