Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless
May 6, 2014
Some drivers are just clueless about the lives of motorcyclists. They have no idea what the roads look like from the perspective of two-wheelers, and no sense of the dangers faced by riders every day. And, why should they? There certainly aren’t any questions about motorcycles on the drivers license test, or any motorcycle awareness classes required before sharing the road with these fearless riders.
It’s O.K. to be a clueless driver, that is, it’s not your fault. However, ignorance is NOT bliss when it comes to sharing the road with motorcyclists, because the less you know the more likely you are to be involved in an accident with a motorcycle. Since the fatality rate in motorcycle collisions is so high, this devastating experience is not something you want to happen, ever.
And so, in honor of Motorcycle Awareness Month, we’ll be featuring a daily lesson in Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless. This is for all you drivers out there, especially those who have never experienced the thrill of being on a motorcycle personally.
Tune in tomorrow for our first lesson: Why is that scary biker honking at me?
A Powerful Message
May 6, 2014
This image from Bikers Against Texting says it all. Throw that phone in the back seat and drive safely this summer, because nothing is more important than a saved life.
Spare Fuel For Your Emergency Kit
May 5, 2014
All cars should have a roadside emergency kit – a tire jack, spare tire, pressure gauge, jumper cables, etc. – but, what about spare fuel?
An innovative product offered at sparefuel.net makes it possible to safely store emergency fuel in your car without any fear of noxious fumes or flammability. While it’s always best to keep that gas tank above the half way mark, there are sometimes long stretches of road where gas station can’t be found. Avoid getting stuck in the mountains of West Virginia or the unforgiving desert roads of the Midwest by keeping this patented fail safe in your roadside emergency kit.
Nissan Introduces Self-Cleaning Paint
May 3, 2014
Imagine a world where you never have to do the dishes, wash the laundry or clean the car. Well, the first two are still a work in progress, but Nissan has come up with a paint that effectively ends the age-old chore of washing your car. See the full story here:
May: Month of the Motorcycle
May 1, 2014
May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, and states across the U.S. are unleashing their public awareness campaigns to promote motorcycle safety.
In Texas, officials encourage motorcyclists to look out for each other, and have posted “Share the Road” and “Look Twice” signs to remind drivers to be safe as motorcycles increasingly come out of hibernation. Meanwhile, up in the north Michigan Secretary of State is promoting motorcycle safety by hopping on his Harley-Davidson Sportster and riding with a group of fellow motorcyclists. Governors, legislators, and average citizens are joining ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) in conferences and events to promote the month of the motorcycle, with a great emphasis on biker safety and sharing the road.
Here are some helpful tips for motorists on the road during May’s Motorcycle Awareness Month:
- Always double-check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes
- Look twice before pulling out of parking lots and driveways, or when turning at intersections
- Use those blinkers! Turn signals should be used when changing lanes, merging with traffic, or making turns
- Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle – motorcycle signals are often not self-canceling. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed.
- Give motorcycles more following distance, since they are capable of braking quicker and are more vulnerable in emergency situations
And, we have several important safety reminders for motorcycle riders as well:
- Wear a DOT-approved helmet
- Never ride while impaired
- Always signal turns, merges and lane changes
- Wear brightly colored protective gear, but ride as if you are invisible
- Avoid blind spots
The Case Against Left-Hand Turns
May 1, 2014
The left-hand turn is an essential skill that we all must master. However, learning how to avoid left-hand turns may be equally important. To make the case, we’ve rounded up a few interesting, and frightening, facts about turning left:
- 53.1% of crossing-path crashes involve left turns. Only 5.7% involve right turns.
- According to a study by NYC transportation planners, left-hand turns are 3X more likely to cause a deadly crash involving a pedestrian than right-hand turns.
- 36% of fatal motorcycle accidents involved a vehicle turning left in front of a motorcycle. Considering that nearly half of motorcycle accidents are single-vehicle (meaning the rider was the only one involved), that 36% is quite a significant number.
These statistics are often considered when city planners hit the drawing board. Many transportation systems use round-abouts to avoid the left-turn problem, while others are considering the more innovative “diverging diamond interchanges“.
Whether or not your own city has developed solutions to the left-turn dilemma, you can always use the old “three rights makes a left” maneuver when navigating through high-traffic and pedestrian-heavy areas such as downtown. In fact, this method can improve time and efficiency when the streets are especially congested.
Parental Spy Technology
April 29, 2014
A new breed of parental gadgets has hit the market: devices that enable parents to monitor their teen’s driving habits. This new technology can sense a car’s speed, rate of acceleration and deceleration, as well as use GPS to track location. However, the way parents use this technology could do more harm than good. NPR takes a look at the effects of this parental spying technology, discussing incredibly important aspects of the dilemma. See the full story here:
The Price of that Text
April 28, 2014
It would seem that drivers have a serious texting addiction these days. The public outcry for safety has gone unnoticed by most text-obsessed drivers. They pass by anti-texting billboards and highway signs completely unaware because their eyes are glued to the glowing screens of their cell phones. Normally, I just try to get around these reckless drivers as quickly and safely as possible, but when one almost hits my car I will honk at them… only to be ignored because my fear of collision is less urgent than their social life.
Well, if drivers aren’t worried about their safety, or the safety of people around them, maybe they will take notice when slapped with a hefty traffic ticket. That would certainly make it harder to pay their cell phone bill. This is exactly what many states are hoping for, with all but 4 states joining the fight against texting while driving by charging offenders with penalties. Fines range from $20 (in California) to $10,000 (in Alaska), with an average of about $100.
A state-by-state map of texting while driving penalties can be found here.
The Mighty, Tiny Charger That Can Juice Your Devices and Jump-Start Your Car
April 26, 2014
Sometimes, the most practical new electronic is the coolest new electronic. The Juno Power Jumpr is a little blue brick, about the size of a cell phone, that can charge phones, iPads and other tablets, as well as jump start your car. See the full story here:
Prius Syndrome
April 25, 2014
This post from the great guys at Car Talk explains just how reliable those MPG dashboard readouts are in Prius vehicles. Can you trust the reported miles-per-gallon in your Prius? Found out here:
http://www.cartalk.com/blogs/tom-ray/counting-mileage-case-prius-syndrome