As any insurance agency representative will tell you, it’s crucial to practice caution when sharing the road with motorcycles. They’re small, fast, nimble, and difficult for other drivers to see. To protect you from involvement in a dangerous collision, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind. 

Insurance Agency Shares 3 Safety Tips for Driving Around Motorcycles

1. Be Careful When Turning Left

A large number of motorcycle accidents occur each year when drivers in the left-turn lane don’t see a motorcycle coming and attempt to turn in front of it. When turning left, double-check to make sure oncoming traffic is completely clear. Motorcyclists are hard to spot, especially if the sun is low in the sky.

2. Check Blind Spots

Because they’re so small, motorcycles can seem to disappear into your blind spot. This is the area that’s almost level with the back tire on either side of your car. It doesn’t show up in your rear-view or side-view mirrors, so you must check over your shoulder before changing lanes. Also, give plenty of warning with your blinkers and listen carefully for — and respond quickly to — the sound of horns.

3. Follow the 4-Second Rule

To give yourself time to respond in case of sudden braking, insurance agencies recommend leaving four seconds between your own vehicle and a motorcycle in front of you. Pick a stationary guidepost, such as a mile marker or even a pothole in the road, and note when the motorcyclist passes it. To be safe, you should arrive at the same spot after four seconds has elapsed. If you arrive in less than four seconds, slow down to allow more space between you and the motorcyclist.

An accident involving a motorcycle could result in serious injuries for the biker and expensive liability payouts for you. If you need to raise your liability insurance limits or otherwise improve your auto insurance coverage, contact America's Favorite, an experienced insurance agency and tax franchise in DeSoto, TX. They serve clients throughout Dallas County with full-service insurance policies designed to fit their budgets, as well as tax services. Visit their website to request a quote or call (972) 662-8221 to start designing your policy today.