Todie's Wild Ride: Extra Extra!

Watch for motorcycles at intersections – over one third of motorcycle collisions are intersection related.

• Be sure that you are safe to proceed before doing so by checking your mirrors and around your car.
• Slow down as you come to intersection and look carefully for traffic, yield signs, stop signs, traffic lights, cyclists and pedestrians.
• Be extra cautious when turning left in front of a motorcycle. It’s difficult to judge their speed and their turn signal may be accidentally left on as they don’t automatically shut off.

Watch for clues

• Motorcycle turn signals can be hard to see.
  • Watch for signs, such as shoulder checking or leaning that indicate the rider is going to turn or change lanes.

Carefully assess an oncoming motorcycle’s speed

• A motorcycle is more difficult to see than other vehicles and its profile is smaller from most angles.
  • A motorcycle's speed and distance can easily be misjudged by drivers.
  • Make sure you don't pull out in front of, or cut off, a motorcycle.

Be courteous

• Respect motorcyclists - they are just as entitled to use the road as you are.
  • Speed and other aggressive tactics such as tailgating can potentially be more dangerous to the motorcyclist, who has less protection on a smaller, open vehicle.
  • Give other drivers space to change lanes, avoid cutting them off and signal your turns and lane changes properly.

Be aware of motorcycles (and other vehicles) around your car

• Check your mirrors frequently so you are aware of the other vehicles around you and how close they are.
  • Remember to check your blind spot, especially before changing lanes. A motorcycle is small enough to be entirely hidden within your blind spot.