LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!1 GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION M OTORIST A WARENESS D IVISION M OTORIST A WARENESS D IVISION Share the Road – Think Motorcycles Seminar Modified: ChavezD, Region I, RMAC 2012

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!2 The purpose of this seminar is to share with you some of the hazards motorists present to motorcyclists and how you can be part of the solution. We will discuss:  The Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA)  What Familiarity is and Why it Helps  Motorcycle Characteristics & Who Rides Them  Hazardous Road & Driving Scenarios  Why Motorists Collide with Motorcycles Blind Spots Driver Distractions How You Can Help Harder to identify in Traffic  Why Motorist Awareness & What is “Share the Road”? O VERVIEW

G OLD W ING R OAD R IDERS A SSOCIATION (GWRRA) What is GWRRA?  Established in 1977, GWRRA is the largest single marquee motorcycle organization in the world.  Based on the Honda Gold Wing touring motorcycle. Over 80,000 members Chapters in all 50 states – over 800 chapters International - Chapters in at least 52 countries, including USA & Canada  Organized with local Chapters, in-state Districts, multi-state Regions, under a National/International umbrella. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!3

G OLD W ING R OAD R IDERS A SSOCIATION (GWRRA) What Are We About?  Motto: Friends for Fun, Safety & Knowledge  Emphasis on educating our members  Rider Education Program training includes: Both Riders and Co-Riders (passengers) Seminars, videos, newsletters, magazine Rider Courses to improve motorcycle riding skills CPR, First Aid, AED training LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!4

5 F AMILIARITY What is Familiarity & Why is it Important?  “Research shows drivers who also ride motorcycles and those with family members or close friends who ride are more likely to observe motorcyclists and less likely to collide with them.” (Brooks & Guppy, 1990)  Becoming familiar with motorcycles reduces the odds that one day you will have a collision with one.  ,000 motorcycles registered in U.S./ 2006 – 6,634,506 registered.  Today estimates of motorcycles registered in the U.S. alone exceed 10 million.

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!6 F AMILIARITY  Be aware - most crashes involving motorcyclists are due to the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic.  Motorcycles are more difficult to detect in traffic & Motorists need to “Think Motorcycles” & train themselves to look for them.  75% of motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle.  66% of motorcycle crashes with other vehicles are caused by the motorist failing to yield the right-of- way.  Over 40% of all motorcycle crashes occur at intersections.

M OTORCYCLE C HARACTERISTICS  Motorcycles differ from cars in several significant ways:  Less stable, narrow 2-wheeled vehicle  Harder to identify in traffic  Difficult to judge distance and speed  Ability to accelerate faster & stop quicker  More nimble than cars, trucks & SUV’s LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!7

8 M ORE T HAN T WO W HEELS  Other motorcycle based vehicles include: Trikes (classic tricycle design) Trikes (new front 2-wheel design) Sidecars Motorcycles with 2-wheel add-on stability enhancers (like training wheels).

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W HO R IDES M OTORCYCLES ? The motorcycling community is a diverse cross section of our population, who ride for many different reasons. Many people are turning to small economical motorcycles for commuting. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!10

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!11 W HO R IDES M OTORCYCLES ? Numerous people are turning to V-Twin cruisers for commuting and local cruising enjoyment. A fun & economical form of transportation. Sport Bike enthusiasts use this type of motorcycle for commuting & sport riding.

W HO R IDES M OTORCYCLES ? Those riding a motorcycle like this might be commuting, they might be out for a local cruise or be vacationing on a long distance tour. These motorcycles combine the features of comfort, handling, and great fuel economy. LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!12

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!13 W HO R IDES M OTORCYCLES ? The motorcycling community is a diverse cross section of our population.  Anyone might ride a motorcycle! Sometimes even children ride as passengers.  Riders are real people, just like you, with families that love and depend on them, just like you!  The motorcyclist next to you in traffic could be your child’s teacher, your friend, neighbor, plumber, doctor, or even one of your family members.

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!14 R OAD H AZARDS Motorcyclists must take evasive action to avoid road debris. Thrown tire re-treads, boards, live animals or carcasses, rail road tracks or pot-holes can cause a motorcyclist to loose control & result in a crash.

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LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!16 H AZARDOUS D RIVING S CENARIOS Actions by drivers in everyday traffic that pose the greatest risk to motorcyclists: Turning across oncoming traffic. Left or right turn at intersection from a stop. Blind spots temporarily hiding motorcycles. Unsafe following distances

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!17 L EFT T URN A CROSS T RAFFIC Driver turns left in front of motorcycle as though it isn’t even there! Why? One of the most common types of car – motorcycle collisions

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!18 T URNING A CROSS T RAFFIC  Smaller profile makes motorcycles harder to see Drivers accustomed to looking for cars, trucks, SUVs, etc. Affects perception of distance and speed.  Typical comment – “I didn’t see him!” Look Twice! Take an additional second to judge speed and distance.  Drivers have less time to execute turn than expected.  High incidence of car – motorcycle crashes. What other factors might contribute to a crash when a driver is making a left turn?

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!19 R IGHT T URN AT I NTERSECTION Single headlight and narrow profile make it difficult to judge distance and speed of the oncoming motorcycle. Failure to yield Right- of-Way! What are the possible results?

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!20 L EFT T URN AT I NTERSECTION Similar situation with a left turn, but now driver is concerned about crossing another lane of traffic first. Again, failure to yield the Right-of-Way! What actions can drivers take to avoid this?

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!21 T URNING AT I NTERSECTIONS  Failure to yield right-of-way … “I didn’t see …” Again, Look Twice! How long can it take?  Unexpectedly pulling out in front of a motorcycle leaves the rider too little time to react.  A motorcycle traveling at the posted speed meets vehicle accelerating from a stop. What other factors might contribute to a crash when a driver is making a turn into traffic?

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LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!23 W HY M OTORISTS C OLLIDE WITH M OTORCYCLES  Motorists fail to look for motorcycles. Motorists are familiar with looking for other motorists, not motorcycles.  Due to their smaller size, motorists often misjudge a motorcycles speed & distance.  Motorcycle is temporarily obscured from motorist view as the result of a blind spot.  Driver distractions or inattention.

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!24 B LIND S POTS  Areas of the road that cannot be seen while looking forward or in the rear-view or side mirrors.  Blind spots can easily hide a motorcycle in a traffic scene, such as pillar posts, mirrors or hanging objects.  It only takes a “blind” instant for a driver to turn in front of a motorcycle.  The deadly results from these moments can change the lives of those involved forever!

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!25 B LIND S POTS In the left photo, a pillar post creates a Blind Spot and completely hides a motorcycle & rider from the drivers view. The right photo shows what was hidden from the drivers view. Blind Spots can also obscure much larger objects!

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!26 B LIND S POTS In the left photo, the driver checks the vehicles left mirror prior to a lane change. The driver observes no vehicles. A quick check over the left shoulder, depicted in the photo on the right, and you can see the motorcyclist was hidden in the mirrors Blind Spot. A quick look over the shoulder, left or right, can prevent a crash!

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!27 B LIND S POTS The left photo is an example of Blind Spots motorists create for themselves. The right photo depicts what was blocked from view. If this placard can obscure a dump truck, it can easily hide a pedestrian, bicyclist or motorcyclist. Why Risk It?

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!28 B LIND S POTS How many blind spots can you identify? Did you see that coming?

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!29 B LIND S POT AT I NTERSECTION Same left turn intersection with addition of blind spot interfering with driver’s view of the motorcycle. Failure to yield right-of- way due to the Blind Spot! What actions can you take to avoid this?

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!30 B LIND S POTS  Look for cars & motorcycles possibly hidden in blind spots before making your decision to move.  Blind spots are typically found over the shoulder – behind and to each side – of a moving vehicle.  Make a point to move with caution through another vehicle’s blind spot for your own safety.  Be aware when you are in someone’s blind spot – they can’t see you, and others can’t see you.

M IRROR A DJUSTMENT -T IP LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!31

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!32 D RIVER D ISTRACTIONS & W HY M OTORIST A WARENESS  In today’s society motorists are diverting more & more attention away from the primary task of the safe operation of their vehicle.  Now we add cellular telephones and navigation systems to the mix of other distractions. Can you think of any others?  Passengers, eating, smoking, shaving, applying make-up, reading, and managing audio systems are all traditional driver distractions.

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!33 D RIVER D ISTRACTIONS  The safe operation of your vehicle should be your primary concern. Operating a motor vehicle in itself is a complex operation requiring concentration along with hand, foot and eye coordination.  The more distracted a motorist becomes, the greater the odds of a collision.

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!34 D RIVER D ISTRACTIONS

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!35 C OMPONENTS OF S TOPPING A NY M OTOR V EHICLE Bringing a vehicle to a complete stop includes 3 components:  Perception – seeing a hazard and recognizing the need to brake (up to 0.75 seconds).  Reaction – amount of time to move foot to brake pedal (up to 0.75 seconds).  Execution – distance required to bring the vehicle to a halt (numbers below).

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!36 C OMPARISON OF V EHICLE S TOPPING D ISTANCES Stopping Distances 60 – 0 mph (no reaction time included) Bike: 105 – 140’ Car: 119 – 139’ Quick stopping motorcycle stops 14’ shorter than a quick car! SUV: ’ Most SUVs will plow right through the motorcycle and rider!

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!37 S AFE S PACE C USHION  Perception/Reaction time + Stopping distance = Safe Space Cushion.  Minimum spacing for a car following a motorcycle should be at least 3 seconds.  Allow more time between vehicles if you drive a truck, SUV or should weather & road conditions dictate. If your vehicle travels further while stopping than the motorcycle in front of you, what can we expect to happen?

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!38 U NSAFE F OLLOWING D ISTANCE What happens when the sidecar rider encounters an emergency situation?  Both vehicles are traveling the posted speed – 55mph  The car is ½ second (40+’) behind the sidecar in deer country That’s gonna hurt!

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!39  Even a small ‘bump’ into the back of a motorcycle can have devastating effects.  Drivers following too closely: Eliminates safe space cushion Shortens available reaction time Increases chances of a rear end collision Eliminates emergency choices for motorcyclist What other factors might contribute to a crash when a driver does not follow at a safe distance? T OO C LOSE TO B E S AFE

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!40 S HARE T HE R OAD  Keep multi-tasking to a minimum – Focus on the primary task at hand, the safe operation of your vehicle.  Drive Aware – Motorcycles are everywhere!. “Have You Seen a Motorcycle Today?”

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!41 H OW Y OU C AN H ELP Think Motorcycles – Every time you drive expect motorcycles to be on the road with you. Make it your practice to actively look for motorcycles. In time it will become a habit & you will reduce the chances of having a collision with a motorcyclist. Share the Road – Be courteous, signal your intentions of a turn or lane change. Check the Blind Spots before you move.

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!42 H OW Y OU C AN H ELP Give motorcycles more space than you would give other vehicles. Remember motorcycles do not have protective exteriors like other motor vehicles. Allow at least a 3-second following distance behind a motorcycle during good driving conditions. In poor weather or wet roads increase the following distance to 5-seconds. Be especially cautious at intersections & when entering or exiting driveways.

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!43 S UMMARY  The GWRRA  What Familiarity is and Why it Helps  Motorcycle Characteristics & Who Rides Them  Hazardous Road & Driving Scenarios  Why Motorists Collide with Motorcycles Blind Spots Driver Distractions How You Can Help Harder to identify in Traffic  Why Motorist Awareness & “Sharing the Road” We have talked about the following topics:

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!44 PowerPoint by: T. Dave Chavez, Jr., RI RMAC, WA-E Assisted by: Vic Parr, WA-V Questions/Comments

LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!45 THANK YOU! -A ND P LEASE – LOOK TWICE! Modified: ChavezD Region I RMAC 2012 GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION M OTORIST A WARENESS D IVISION