In folklore, the devil lives at the crossroads.
According to legend, blues guitarist Robert Johnson went down to the crossroads and made a pact with Satan to trade his soul for extraordinary musical talents. Of course, the devil didn’t allow Johnson time to enjoy his success.
In motorcycling, a crossroads (or intersection) holds different dangers. According to safety studies most accidents involving motorcycles take place at intersections. Whether the danger comes from cross?traffic, a vehicle turning left across your line of travel, or from the inattentive driver approaching from behind, anyone who has ridden more than a week knows the truth of the reports.
By taking a few precautions you can make it past the crossroads without paying too heavy a price.
1. If you can avoid it, NEVER enter an intersection first, or without another vehicle on your right hand side.
Many intersection accidents are caused by cross-traffic either running the light, or making one of those “coast-through-the-light” right hand turns.
By waiting a second or two, and allowing other vehicles start to enter the intersection first, you give that driver who decided the yellow light meant “speed up,” time to clear the intersection, and yourself time to see him
By having another vehicle on your right (preferably a much LARGER vehicle) you have protection from the other vehicle, plus the cross-traffic is confronted by a vehicle that’s harder to miss – in all senses of the word – than you.
Also, making it a practice to always have a vehicle on your right requires you to not be in the curb lane, giving you space on both sides to see and avoid vehicles that violate your right of way.
2. Slow down and check both ways at EVERY intersection.
Make it a habit to assume there may be cross-traffic at every intersection, whether controlled or uncontrolled. As you approach, slow down a little and check both directions. Cover you controls and be prepared to stop on a moment’s notice.
3. Position yourself to avoid rear-end collisions
A motorcycle is least visible from behind. It presents the smallest profile and the lighting is much less obvious. As a result motorcycles are vulnerable to being rear-ended when stopped at intersections.
When stopping behind another vehicle, stop slightly off-center, and allow space to move forward, if necessary between vehicles, then keep checking your mirrors for cars approaching fast from behind. If you think that driver coming up on you doesn’t see you, flash your brake lights and prepare to move.