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Florida with its warm weather and beautiful scenery has always been a Mecca for motorcyclists. These motorcyclists can travel as fast as other drivers, and are required to obey the same traffic laws. However, they are different as anyone traveling on the roads with them knows. Motorcycles have lower visibility, less stability and less protection than four-wheeled vehicles. Drivers of larger vehicles need to be extra careful when sharing roads with motorcycles.  

Following are recommendations from organizations such as Drivesafely.net

• Allow a full lane – Motorcycles, like other vehicles on Florida’s roads, must be allowed a “full lane.” Even if there may be room to do so, vehicles, other than other motorcycles, are not to share the space with a motorcycle. Having this full space allows the motorcyclists to avoid potholes, road kill, oil spots, other road debris, and to position themselves to stay out of vehicle blind spots. Two motorcycles may share one lane. If they do so, the more experienced motorcyclists may often change position within the lane to get a clearer view of traffic.

• Pass with caution – Non-motorcycle traffic may not drive beside a motorcycle in the same lane nor may it pass a motorcycle in the motorcycle’s lane. New York’s Department of Motor Vehicles reminds drivers to be careful when passing motorcycles as, like bicycles, the air pressure of the vehicles that quickly pass can affect motorcycles. 

• Intersections may be dangerous – More motorcycle/vehicle accidents occur at intersections. The most common accident, according to police records, happens when a vehicle turns into a motorcycle’s path. Drivers often say they did not see the motorcycle. 

• Motorcycle turning lights may not self-cancel – Unlike other vehicles, motorcycles usually do not have self-cancelling turning signals. This fact can lead to confusion on the part of the vehicle driver on which way the motorcycle is going. 

• Check blind spots often – Being smaller than cars and trucks, it is easier for motorcyclists to slip into a blind spot. It is recommended that the driver swivels his/her head checking for blind spots regularly, and in particular, before changing lanes. 

• Give motorcycles extra following and passing distance – Motorcyclists most often down shift rather than apply brakes. When they down shift, there are no brake lights. Motorists should allow for 3 to 4 seconds of following time. 

• Road conditions may require extra caution – Road conditions may seem minor annoyances for motorists, but for motorcyclists they may be major hazards necessitating reactions including changing speed, down shifting or stopping. 

The month of May has been designated by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. This awareness month was established to remind citizens of motorcyclists’ rights and privileges and to share the road. 

“Watching out for one another and understanding the obstacles faced and posed by motorcycles can help everyone avoid needless accidents. When involved in a motorcycle accident, it is important to contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., to determine your rights,” said Fort Myers Motorcycle Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey.

Ft. Myers Motorcycle Accident Attorney,  Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.