July 14, 2008 07:46 am Safety tips for motorcyclists, as listed on the SafeNY.com website, include: - Always wear an approved helmet as well as eye protection. So-called novelty helmets are illegal to wear in New York and offer little protection to the rider in a crash. - Always wear high-quality riding gear designed to protect the rider during a fall. This includes over-the-ankle boots, full-finger gloves with padding as well as jackets and pants with armor protection at impact points. - Wear high-visibility vests, garments with reflectorized features and accessories to boost visibility to other drivers. - Maintain motorcycles properly. Ensure all lights and the horn are working and that both mirrors are adjusted. Make sure tires are properly inflated and have legal tread depth. As motorcycles maintain a smaller tire contact patch on the roadway compared with other vehicles, good traction is a key component to safe handling and braking. - Maintain a high level of awareness. Scan the roadway constantly for dangers and ride alert. If tired, take a break and re-energize. - Never drink alcohol and ride a motorcycle. - Share the road safely. Treat others with respect and don't get caught up in road-rage situations. - Most crashes between cars and motorcycles involve turning left. If preparing to cross traffic or turn left, take a second look to make sure it is safe to proceed. - Speed is the No. 1 cause of traffic crashes. Slow down and maintain control of the motorcycle. - Allow adequate space between you and the vehicle in front. Use the "two-second" rule as a safety zone. - Observe and obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals. - Signal when turning with your directional lights or hand signals. Also, flash the brake light periodically before stopping to alert other drivers.
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