The number of motorcycle accidents has increased significantly in San Diego, and thus, it has become more important to stay visible and safe. Riding a motorcycle offers freedom, but it is your duty to maintain safety, as you would be sharing the road with larger vehicles. You must remain visible to other drivers, such as cars and trucks, to reduce the risk of accidents.
To stay visible and safe as a motorcyclist, wear bright, reflective clothing, use lights (including headlights on during the day), maintain a safe following distance, and avoid blind spots
So, let’s learn how you, as a motorcyclist, can stay safe and maintain visibility on the busy roads of San Diego.
- Wear Reflective Gear
It is highly recommended that you wear bright-colored jackets so that other drivers can easily spot you. You must also carry helmets and vests. If you are driving in low-light conditions, then it is mandatory to use reflective materials. You need to improve your visibility from multiple angles, especially while driving at night. Choose apparel and equipment with vibrant colors, particularly vests, jackets, and helmets.
- Equip Proper Lighting
Before you start the ride, you must ensure the front and rear lights are functional. If you want to increase visibility, you have to add daytime running lights (DRLs) or LED enhancements. The idea is to stay noticeable in both bright sunlight and poor weather conditions.
It will be simpler for other drivers to see you if you are brighter.
Always wear brightly colored clothing and equipment, even if you are just running to the grocery store or petrol station.
For increased motorcycle visibility at night, cover your bike and helmet with luminous tape and wear reflective clothing.
Additionally, choose a motorcycle with a paint job that will stand out on the road if you are still looking to buy one.
- Be Strategic About Lane Positioning
You must always be on the road while driving a motorcycle, where other drivers can easily spot you. Riding to the left or center of the lane is always recommended, as it will keep you visible to drivers of different vehicles. You also need to minimize the chance of being in the blind spot, so try to be ahead or remain behind the truck without overtaking.
- Signal Early and Clearly
If you have to change lanes or turn while driving a motorcycle, you must always use your turn signals, but in advance. You can also use hand signals as indicators while driving in heavy traffic to supplement your movement. The motive is to ensure that other drivers understand your lane-changing intention. Think about covering your motorcycle’s jacket, helmet, and other areas with reflective tape or stickers.
- Opt for Vibrant Motorcycle Colors
If you want to increase the visibility of other drivers, it is highly recommended that you choose a bike that has a vibrant, bright color, such as yellow, red, or orange, and ditch the muted shades. Thus, accidents can be easily avoided, as other drivers can easily spot the bike even in the muted shades. Choosing a vibrant bike color can significantly enhance your visibility to other drivers.
- Avoid Blind Spots
Large vehicles, such as trucks, have extensive blind spots, so accidents are quite common. In this scenario, it is highly recommended that you stay out of these areas. You must avoid the right side of the truck and also try not to be directly behind the vehicle, as the driver might not spot you, leading to a fatal accident.
Although it is not always within your control, you can drive in a way that makes it easier for other drivers to notice you.
Avoid the blind spots of other cars as much as you can when driving through traffic. You are in the wrong place if the person in front of you needs to look at you.
Place yourself so that you can see them directly in their side or rearview mirror. If they still do not see you, allow yourself adequate space to react. If you must pass, move swiftly and immediately return to a safe lane position.
Motorcycle visibility becomes even more of a problem at night.
The rider must rely on their head and tail lights, equipment, and reflective tape to stay visible in the absence of sunlight. Although loud exhaust pipes may make it easier for oncoming traffic to hear you, there is still a higher chance of an accident if they are unable to determine your location.
Therefore, when the sun sets, do not be scared to turn on your high beams. The small difficulty you might give other cars by utilizing your brights is always preferable to getting into an accident, especially when riding a motorcycle.
To improve visibility, you can also add more lights to the front and back of your bike. Additionally, you can swiftly tap your brakes to turn your tail lights into a blinking stop sign if the person behind you does not appear to be paying attention.
Motorcycle visibility is such a rampant issue because drivers are either distracted or simply not looking for riders.
That’s why it’s always best to play it safe and assume other drivers aren’t paying attention to their surroundings, even if you’re in clear view of them.
This way of driving will ensure you always make safer choices when passing and choosing your lane position.
Have you seen a distracted driver pull out in front of you or merge into your lane? To let them know you are there, give your horn a few good taps.
When changing lanes or merging into traffic, a lot of people are not watching for motorbikes, thus your horn is the ideal way to attract everyone’s attention. Make extensive and frequent use of it!
Final Words
Whenever you are driving a motorcycle, it is recommended to monitor your surroundings constantly so that you can avoid potential hazards. You have to stay vigilant and try to anticipate the actions of other drivers. You also have to maintain a safe following distance and for optimal performance and safety, keep well-maintained brakes, lights, and tires ensure optimal performance and safety. Lastly, if you face any accident, you have to immediately get medical attention and hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to help you with the legal matters.
