Drivers Ed- Mary J.
What is Required
* Reflector * Brakes strong enough to stop one wheel on dry, level, clean pavement * After dark riding- a white headlamp * A bike must stop on request of a police officer who wishes to inspect the bike * No person less than 16 yrs of age may operate or ride upon a bike in a public way unless with a helmet on or approved by the health commisioner * You must wear at least one item that is reflective during the period: 1/2 hours after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise
Bicycles Cont' MUSTS
* obey the same rules of the road as drivers and other cars * Signal turns and stops unless both hands are required on the handle-bars for balance * If riding with two people, keep within a single land and do not hold up traffic- (it is against the law- 2 abreast) * Never ride on sidewalks * Never hang onto other cars (vehicles) * Yeild to the right of way to people ( walkers) * Never carry a passenger unless in an attached seat * Never carry articles that will get in the way of controling the bike * Ride in the same direction as other cars ( vehicles)
BICYCLES ( sharing the road)
*Drivers may pass a bicyclist when there is a safe amount of room beside bicyclist ( 3 foot minimum) and when there is no danger from oncoming traffic *Must yield right of way to a bicyclist *Bicyclist are prohibited on limited-access, expressways and certain other marked areas *Bicyclist is not required to ride in a designated bike lane *Avoid turning across the path of a bicyclist
Bad Weather and Slippery Surfaces
Allow more distance for a motorcycle when it is raining or the road surface is wet and slippery. At night glare can be tough when there has been rain and the glare from the road when wet. Rain, wind, dust and smog affect the cyclists vision far more than yours in a car. The cyclists face shield cannot protect from all the elements and make for poor visibility.
Drive Slowly
As speed increases, so does the wind resistance against your car
Cross Winds
Cross winds are bad for motorcycles. Wind can actually move a motorcycle out of its lane of travel. Areas to look out for are: wide open, long stretches of highways and bridges. Fast moving trucks can also create wind blasts.
Turn Signals
Do not automatically cancel out on most motorcycles. At times, the rider may forget to turn the signal off. Before you make a turn in FRONT of the motorcyclist, BE SURE THE RIDER IS TURNING and not continuing STRAIGHT ahead into your path with a forgotten turn signal still blinking.
No Zone
Do not remain in the "NO ZONE" any longer than is needed to safely pass a truck.
Take Good Care of your Vehicle
Have your car tuned up when necessary. Keep the tired properly inflated and the wheels properly aligned. Radial tires will give you better gas milage
Think Ahead and Look Ahead
If the light ahead if read, ease into the stop- do not jam on your breaks
Left Turns
In front of an oncoming motorcyclist account for many serious crashes. YOU MUST: look and look again. Make sure you se the motorcycle and know its speed before you make a left turn.
Hours
Most distracted driver accidents happen between the hours of 2pm-6pm
Crashes and the days
Most distracted driver crashes happen more frequently on Thursday and Friday
Part 18 Sharing the road with others/distracted/MPH
Most distracted driving accidents happen between 30-35mph
MOTORCYCLES
Motorcycles are not easily identified in traffic and they are only 2 feet wide compared to the 5-6 foot width of an automobile.
Store Luggage Inside the Vehicle
Roof racks create additional wind resistance and increase your gas intake
Start Slowly
Speed up gently, except when you enter a high speed traffic lane or when passing
Drive Steadily
Speeding up and slowing down uses more gas than does driving as a steady pace. Avoid passing and bursts of speed
Blind Spots and trucks
The larger the truck, the larger the blind spots. Knowing where a trucks blind spots are or the "NO ZONES" will help you avoid these dangerous areas.
Crashes and the month
The months of June, July and August have the highest distracted driver accident rates.
Metal or grated Bridges
These can create a wobble sensation in the front tire of the motorcycle. This can cause an inexperienced motorcyclist to quickly change direction or slow down.
Grooved Pavement
This is tough for a motorcycle as it may cause a wobble sensation.
TRUCKS
Trucks can be up to 120 feet long and 80,000lbs, A fully loaded tractor trailer traveling at 55mph needs 3 TIMES the distance a car needs to stop
Keep Windows Closed At High Speed
When wind enters the car it creates added wind resistance which uses more gas. When traveling at high speeds, running the AC on hot days is actually more economical than riding with your windows down. When you travel at a low speed you should turn off the AC and open the windows.
Avoid a lot of Idling
When you stop the car do NOT idle the engine for more than 1 minute. If you are waiting for someone, turn off the engine. It takes less gasoline to restart the car than it does to let it idle.
Less Traveled and Congested Routes
You will not have to stop and brake as often
Following Distance
behind the motorcyclist should be the same 3-second following distance you would give ANY OTHER vehicle. Don't follow too closely as it can make the rider nervous causing their attention to shift and possible crash.
Lane Usage
for the motorcyclist is so important. Motorcycles get the same FULL LANE width as all other vehicles. Good motorcyclists are always changing positions within that lane to help them see. NEVER move into the same lane alongside a motorcycle even the lane is wide and do not try and crowd the cyclist to the edge- it IS ILLEGAL.
Road Surfaces
the debris in the road can affect a motocyclist. Gravel, debris, pavement seams, small animals and even manhole covers may cause the motorcyclist to change speed or direction.
Railroad Grade Crossing
the motorcycle must slow down or change direction so that the tracks can be crossed head on. The motorcyclist may rise up off the seat to help cushion the bumps etc.