Motoring corner : “Riding Safely”

Riders normally share all roadways with motorists; this exposes them to the likely excesses or road misuse of the former. Many times, people do not consider motorcycle related accidents; they only look at motor vehicle fatalities as a threat. The truth is that, many motor cycle accidents are potentially fatal unless the rider has taken all the necessary and recommended precautions on safety. In order to run and operate a motorcycle safely, the operator must always be conscious of the numerous and potential hazards and should be prepared to avoid them as long as he is on the road. That said and done, there are a number of objects normally encountered while on most roads, while insignificant to a car or truck, they could cause a motorcycle to slide and crash. Some of these are: Loose pebbles, wet grass, tire debris, foreign object strewn on the road, etc. By getting acquainted with common hazards and high risk areas where they occur and by maximizing the riders’ field of vision and attention, motorcyclists can considerably reduce the risk of accidents. In order to be able to maximise your safety on the road, it is imperative that you plan your trips to avoid heavy traffic infested roads as much as possible. By taking routes with lesser vehicles, you minimise the probability of having a brush with other road users. Such choice of roads reduces the potential obstructions and improves on the field of vision since it is open and unobstructed. In as much as possible, always endeavour to maintain a safe following distance by remaining at least two metres behind every vehicle that you follow in case of urban areas and as far as ten metres for motorways as you may require enough distance in case you need to brake abruptly. Constantly look ahead on the road and plan escape routes in your mind. Keep watching out for the common hazards such as small children crossing the road, animals and approaching vehicles. Try to increase imaginative distance when approaching such potential hazards. The first step is prevention. This means you must look as far down the road as possible. When you are in traffic, this is very important. On the open road, it is easier to see objects and take corrective action. It takes approx. 2 seconds for the rider to see the situation, think of a solution and take corrective action. The rider can cover about 50 metres in 2 sec at just 100kph, so you have to be prepared. As a matter of fact, certain hazards can be associated with certain roads. Tire debris, for example, is common on highways. Animal carcasses are less common on highways, but frequently seen on secondary rural roads. Try mastering such trends, when armed with such knowledge, your chances of avoiding the same are greatly increased. In addition to watching the roadway itself, pay attention to the actions of other motorists. If a vehicle ahead of you swerves or veers to the side, chances are that a hazard is present or that same vehicle could become a hazard! At all times, never ride too close to another vehicle. That said and done, there are some natural hazards like bad weather conditions that could increase road hazards for motorcyclists. If you cannot avoid it, try as much as possible to minimize the impact. If you cannot avoid hitting an object in the road, like a ladder that is crossways, there are steps to take to minimize the impact. Try to slow down as quickly and safely as possible before striking the object. Just prior to striking the object, release the front brake lever. Maintain a relaxed but firm grip on your handlebars; however, do not grip them too tightly. You do not want to transmit the impact into your hands and arms, which might cause you to lose control. motoringcorner@live.co.uk

Lifestyle

Motoring corner : “Riding Safely”