Where do you look when riding? Do you focus on the car or bike in front of you? Are you looking for the next opening in traffic so you can quickly change lanes, and shave a few seconds off your travel time? Are you searching for an address, street sign or gas station? Checking out the human scenery? Or do you methodically scan your surroundings to identify risks and maximize your ability to avoid them?
One key to avoiding accidents lies in training yourself to recognize potential hazards early enough to avoid, or at least prepare yourself to deal with them. Developing good visual skills and habits is one of the most effective ways to do this.
Anyone who has taken a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class, or who has read the MSF’s Guide to Motorcycling Excellence is familiar with the acronym SIPDE. (Search; Identify; Predict; Decide; Execute.) Other systems exist, but they all communicate the same basic message. Hazard avoidance depends on early hazard recognition in time to take deliberate action to avoid or neutralize the hazard.
It’s important to observe as much of what is taking place in the space you expect to cover in the next 12 seconds as you can. (Yes – 12 seconds. Follow at least 2 seconds back, but look 12 seconds ahead.) In order to maximize what you can actually see in that space, you may have to increase your following distance behind a truck, or bus to allow you to see around the vehicle, or you may have to consciously positioning yourself so you can maximize your view around the next curve.
Train yourself to constantly look for visual cues of developing danger. When you see a car stopped waiting to enter the roadway in front of you, look at the front wheel. Is it moving? What direction is it pointed? Is the driver going left, right or straight across? Don’t depend on the fact the driver is looking your way. He probably isn’t looking for you anyway, and even if he sees you, motorcycles seldom register as hazards.
When riding along a street lined with parked cars, scan for signs of occupants. Look for exhaust, the flicker of a reverse light, or upward movement of the hood of the car, indicating forward movement. A passenger entering a parked car is usually an immediate precursor to the driver pulling out into traffic while conversing with his or her friend. And I?m not even going to mention drivers on cell phones.
As cars approach, look for the hood to dip, indicating braking. A slowing car is likely to suddenly cut across your path. A recent lane change may mean the same. As you approach cars traveling in your direction from behind, look for signs of confusion, or indications that the driver is looking for something. Don’t be surprised when the hesitant driver in the right lane in front of you suddenly makes a hard left turn across your line of travel to get that parking spot that just opened up across the street.
Keep checking the road surface for sand, gravel and other debris, as well as for signs of oil, water or other fluids waiting to rob you of traction. And look for tire marks as you approach corners – a sure sign that someone before you discovered to their dismay that the curve is sharper than it looks. If you see skid marks, slow down, or you may be leaving the next set.
In areas where there is a lot going on, cut your speed to give you more opportunity to brake if you have to. Look for signs that children may run out onto the street, and be prepared to stop
Remember to keep your eyes moving, too. “Target fixation” which causes you to steer into a hazard you’re intently staring at is as dangerous as not seeing at all.
“Seeing” is a skill that needs constant development and practice. It’s worth the effort, because what you don’t see . . . can definitely hurt you.
Think about it, and ride safe. – Don Oldaker – Safety Officer