How to Avoid Hazards on the Road

Whether you're a novice or a skilled motorcycle operator, at times hazards on the road will test your handling abilities. Your best defense is the ability to react quickly and calmly to the hazards that appear in your path.

Depending on the specific hazard or road condition, you can do some things beforehand to ensure you'll know how to react when these conditions arise. Whether you're riding in slick conditions like rain, snow or wet leaves, or trying to avoid hazards such as potholes, debris or uneven pavement, these tips can help you react in ways that will keep you and your bike safe.

Before you go out riding, watch your local weather forecast. If rain, snow, strong winds or other potentially dangerous weather is on the way, leave your motorcycle parked where it is and choose a more appropriate method of transportation. But since you can't always predict the weather, there is always the possibility you could get caught in dangerous driving conditions.

When Surfaces are Slick

Several different conditions can cause a riding surface to become slippery and require you to react quickly. Some of these elements are liquids (such as oil spots) on the road, rain, wet leaves, sand, gravel, and snow and ice. These tips can help you maneuver through these less-than-ideal conditions:

• Reduce your speed - A slippery surface will result in a longer stopping time. Slow down and pay close attention to changes in the driving surface.
• Use both brakes - Your front brake is responsible for three-quarters of your braking ability. Apply the front brake slowly and consistently without locking the wheel. Apply the rear brake in the same manner. Try not to brake mid-corner and remember the risk of sliding increases with acceleration.
• Avoid sudden moves - On a slippery surface, sudden movements will be exaggerated and could cause you to lose balance. Gradual, deliberate movements will help keep the bike steady and help you avoid skidding.
• Try to avoid the slickest areas - The center of the lane and intersections are where oil and other slippery substances tend to build up. To avoid these areas, ride where you're most likely to be seen AND avoid the hazard. Try to avoid the sides of the road where dirt, gravel and snow collect and cause low-traction conditions.

Even if your local weather forecast doesn't call for rain or snow, wind conditions could vary making your ride tricky. Pay attention to wind speeds and direction before you go out riding. If you get stuck in windy conditions, here are a few tips that could help make your ride safer.

When Strong Winds Blow

Strong winds can catch you off-guard and throw you off balance when you're riding a motorcycle. As opposed to other weather hazards, you can't see it coming. Take extra precautions when winds are extreme. Look ahead on the path you're riding and try to determine where the wind is going to catch you so you can plan for it. Some areas to watch out for include bridges, gaps between buildings and trees, open roads, coastal areas and gusts as large trucks pass. Try and figure out which way the wind is going to blow you and then do the following:

• Ride on the side of the lane that gives you the most room to maneuver.
• Keep your distance from other cars as well as the side and centerline of the road.
• Practice good posture. A good grip on the handle bars, a firm planting of your feet on the pegs and keeping your arms and shoulders flexible will help you maintain control and balance.
• Steer into the wind as much as possible.

In addition, watch for debris such as branches that have blown into your path.

There is always the possibility that, just around the corner, there could be something hazardous in your path. You can't predict when they're going to come up, but you can be prepared if they do.

When Debris or Hazards Appear in Your Path

Many times, hazards such as potholes, branches or items in the road might appear seemingly out of nowhere. It is very important that you practice avoiding hazards, and are able to react quickly and calmly when they do appear.

Always stay aware of what other drivers around you are doing and make a mental note of where they are in case you need to take quick action to avoid a road hazard.

Often, you will need to make a quick turn to avoid the object or hazard. To do this, lean quickly in the direction you want to turn and press on the inside of the hand grip on the same side. This will cause the front wheel to move slightly in the opposite direction while still allowing the bike to move straight ahead to avoid the object without losing balance or throwing the bike too far off course.

If you have to ride over an object, it is important that you:

• Hold onto the hand grips tightly.
• Keep a straight course.
• Rise up slightly on the foot pegs to absorb the shock.

Once you have driven over an object or hazard in the road, pull over and inspect your bike and tires for any damage.

The same advice holds true when dealing with uneven surfaces like potholes, broken pavement or railroad tracks.

• Slow down.
• Hold onto the hand grips tightly.
• Keep a straight course.
• Rise up slightly on the foot pegs to absorb the shock.

• Try to cross the uneven surface at an angle.

SEE

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has developed this proactive defense-driving tool as an easy way to recall what steps you should take if a hazard crosses your path while you're riding your motorcycle. Keep "SEE" in mind when you're out riding as a a good first step in deciding what you need to do.

S - Search around you for potential hazards. Look ahead, to the sides, in your mirrors and even over your shoulder.

E - Evaluate any possible hazards or dangers such as an oncoming car making a left turn, a driver speeding up behind you or a car waiting to pull onto the road.

E - Execute the action needed to avoid the hazard such as braking or turning.

If you take the steps to identify and react quickly and calmly to the hazards that you could face on the road, you are in a much better position to come out of a potentially dangerous situation unscathed. Nothing can take the place of practice when you're riding a motorcycle, so it's a good idea to spend some time trying to avoid obstacles or potential hazards in a safe environment. Take a Motorcycle Safety Course to prepare yourself for what you could face.