It is extremely important for you to watch for and pay careful attention to motorcyclists when you are on the road.

	Half of all motorcycle accidents involve normal drivers, just like you.
	Almost two-thirds of these accidents are the fault of the driver, not the motorcyclist.

	Motorists tend to look for other cars, not for smaller vehicles like motorcycles, and since the physical profile of a motorcyclist is much smaller than a car, the motorcycle is not noticed.
	Estimating a motorcyclist's distance and speed is difficult for many drivers.
	Motorcycle riding requires frequent lane movement to adjust to changing road conditions, which makes it harder for drivers to keep track of a motorcyclist's location.

Accidents between cars and motorcycles are most likely to occur in the following situations:

a) Left Turns. The most common accident between cars and motorcycles is at intersections, when an automobile driver is making a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. Over 40% of all motorcycle accidents occur at intersections.

b) Car’s Blind Spot. Motorcyclists riding alongside a lane of cars are often out of the view of the driver in the car's "blind spot". An unsuspecting driver may collide with a motorcyclist as the driver tries to change lanes.

c) Hazardous Road Conditions. Motorcyclists have to be much more concerned about road obstructions such as pot holes, fallen tree branches, and railroad tracks. These may be minor problems for drivers but are serious concerns to motorcyclists that may require them to slow down or change lanes.

d) Weather Conditions. When the road is wet or icy, motorcyclists' braking and handling abilities are impaired.

e) Strong Winds. A strong gust of wind can move a motorcycle across an entire lane if the rider is not prepared for it. Wind gusts from large trucks in the other lanes can also be a hazard.

f) Obscured Visibility.  Large vehicles such as vans, buses or trucks can block a motorcyclist from a driver’s view. The motorcyclist may seem to suddenly appear from nowhere.

Motorcycle riders are required to make themselves as visible as possible in traffic by:

	Driving with their headlights on, and
	Riding in the left wheel track of the car ahead of them, so that the driver can clearly see them in the rear-view mirror

California Law requires motorcycle riders to ride with helmets whenever they are on the roadways.  Motorcycle helmets must be clearly marked and indicate that they comply with all applicable safety standards. 

Intelligent motorcycle riders wear ample additional body protection including gloves, knee pads, and heavy shoes or boots. 

No amount of precautions, however, can protect a motorcyclist  from the serious injuries caused by a collision with a four-wheel vehicle.

If you drive with awareness and consideration formotorcyclists, you can help to keep the streets and roadways safe for everyone.