Following too closely

“Following too closely” is a factor in crashes involving motorcyclists. In traffic, motorcycles need as much distance to stop as cars. Normally, a minimum of two seconds distance should be maintained behind the vehicle ahead.

To gauge your following distance:
• Pick out a marker, such as a pavement marking or lamppost, on or near the road ahead.

• When the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead passes the marker, count off the seconds: “onethousand-one, onethousand-two.”

• If you reach the marker before you reach “two,” you are following too closely.

A two-second following distance leaves a minimum amount of space to stop or swerve if the driver ahead stops suddenly. It also permits a better view of potholes and other hazards in the road. A larger cushion of space is needed if your motorcycle will take longer than normal to stop. If the pavement is slippery, if you cannot see through the vehicle ahead, or if traffic is heavy and someone may squeeze in front of you, open up a three-second or more following distance. Keep well behind the vehicle ahead even when you are stopped. This will make it easier to get out of the way if someone bears down on you from behind. It will also give you a cushion of space if the vehicle ahead starts to back up for some reason.

For more info, www.msf-usa.org

This month’s Motorcycle Safety Tip is brought to you by Rubenstein Law