Road safety

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Motorcycle safety

Have a suspicious 'on-road' attitude. Trust no one and assume nothing.
Scan for hazards by looking well ahead, behind and beside you. Use your mirrors frequently.
Maintain a safety zone free of all hazards.
Be prepared to give way to hazards.
If you ride faster or slower than the flow of traffic you become a hazard.
Identify an escape route in front of you at all times.
Ride with your lights on day or night.
Make sure other drivers can see you at all times. As a motorcyclist, you cannot control other drivers, so make it your responsibility to be seen. We recommend:
- a white or bright coloured helmet.
- use of a high-visibility vest or strips.
Do not ride in a vehicle's 'blind spot'.
Always follow the 'two-second rule'. In wet conditions, follow the 'four-second rule'.
Ride and corner at a safe speed, so no faster than a speed at which you can stop in the clear space ahead of you.
Do not ride up in between vehicles at intersections. The risk does not justify any time saved.
Do not weave between vehicles on multi-lane roads. It is illegal and dangerous. Remain within your own lane and practice safe following distances.
Your machine should always have a current WOF.
Scooters and motorcycles can use council green bus lanes.
If you have had no formal instruction how to ride, take a refresher course to improve your skills. The rideforever website has information on course providers.

Most motorcycle crashes in Auckland city happen at intersections.

Continuously scan ahead for intersection traffic.
Always ensure that traffic waiting to turn at the intersection ahead can clearly see you. Be aware that you and your motorcycle might be in the blind spot generated by the vehicle in front.
When approaching intersections you need to be clearly visible to all turning traffic at all times. You may need to adjust your approach position, depending on whether traffic is waiting to turn from the left or the right.

For more information visit:

Updated November 2009