Motorcyle safety tips

AAA Carolinas recommends that motorcyclists:

• Wear a helmet at all times, and be sure to replace it when it gets broken down and worn. (Fourteen percent of motorcycle riders use helmets that do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.)

• Take the state-approved education course for training on how to ride a motorcycle safely before getting on the highway.

AAA Carolinas recommends that drivers of other vehicles:

• Stay clear of motorcyclists, and allow them adequate room to maneuver. Do not share the lane; motorcyclists have the same right to lanes as any other vehicles.

• Always use your turning signals. Signaling your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic allows the motorcyclists to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.

• Allow an additional following distance of at least three to four seconds.

• Check your mirrors carefully before changing lanes. Motorcycles are often difficult to see due to their smaller size or hidden by blind spots.

• Always anticipate that a motorcycle is closer than it appears.