Motorcycles represent about 2 percent of all registered vehicles in North Carolina, but account for about 10 percent of all fatalities on the state's roads. Proper training and safety precautions are the most effective ways to reduce the chances of being involved in a motorcycle wreck.
Training
BikeSafe North Carolina offers free Rider Skills Days across the state. The training including skill assessment, classroom-based information and on-road ride-outs.
Safety Guidelines
- Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed.
- Use hand and turn signals at every lane change or turn.
- Wear brightly colored clothing, gear and reflective tape to increase visibility.
- Obey the posted speed limit.
- Never ride distracted or impaired.
Guidelines for Other Drivers
- Share the road. Motorcyclists have the right to a full lane.
- Stay alert and be aware that motorcycles can be easily hidden in a car's blind spot, so take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic when changing lanes, especially at intersections.
- Always signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic.
- Keep a safe distance by allowing more following space – three to four seconds – behind motorcycles.
- Be cautious, as not all turn signals on a motorcycle are self-canceling, thus some riders sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change.
- Obey the posted speed limit.
- Never drive distracted or impaired.