Motorcyclists face hazards that car drivers can often ignore. Road surface conditions, other vehicles’ blind spots, weather, and intersections all pose amplified dangers for riders.
Surface hazards include gravel, wet leaves, oil slicks, painted lane markings (slippery when wet), railroad tracks, metal grates, and expansion joints. Any of these can cause a tire to lose traction instantly. Cross railroad tracks and similar hazards at a perpendicular angle whenever possible.
Intersections are the most dangerous location for motorcyclists — the majority of motorcycle-car collisions happen when a car turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle. Drivers often fail to see motorcycles or misjudge their speed. Defensive positioning, eye contact with other drivers, and covering your brakes at intersections are essential survival strategies.