Sandy Shores awake to a beautiful fall morning. The temperature was just right for riding. Since Sandy hadn’t done much riding during the hot summer, she thought this would be the perfect day to got out and enjoy some time on her motorcycle.

Sandy thought about heading to the beach. That would mean she’d have to get on the freeway which was a bit scary to her. To access the highway, she’d have to do a little traveling downtown for a few blocks then make a right turn.

She stopped at the stop sign at the intersection where she’d have to make her turn. Traffic was light today and Sandy only saw two cars heading in the direction she’d be turning toward. Both vehicles were in the inside lane, leaving the outside lane clear. Neither vehicle was indicating any lane changes or turns. Sandy began to make her right turn. Just as she started out, she noticed through her peripheral vision that the second car had moved over into the outside lane without signaling. Sandy straightened the motorcycle, squared the handlebars, and applied maximum braking pressure to come to a complete stop and avoiding a collision.

A little shaken by the incident, she continued onto the freeway. Traffic was smoothly flowing along the multi-lane highway and Sandy was starting to enjoy the ride. She noticed a car in the middle lane that had had its left turn signal on for a while. Sandy assumed the driver just forgot to turn the signal off but, just in case, she decided to move from the center lane to the right one. This would gave her a chance to pass the car.

Just as Sandy got near the car, it suddenly moved into the right lane in front of her and onto the exit ramp. Sandy had been victimized again by a turn signal.

Questions:

1. When Sandy cam to a complete stop at the intersection, she straightened the motorcycle, squared the handlebars, and applied maximum braking pressure. One stop in this “stopping” scenario was intentionally left out. What was it?

2. What did she assume when she started to make her right turn?

3. What did she assume the driver on the freeway with his left turn signal on was going to do?

4. How did these assumptions get her in trouble?

5. What lesson can be learned in regards to other vehicles using their turn signals?

6. What important steps does a rider need to take when using his/her turn signals?

Answers:

1. Look straight and well ahead.

2. That neither vehicle would move into the outside lane since neither had their turn signals on.

3. That the driver was going to move into the left lane.

4. She put herself in harms way.

5. Don’t depend on them. Always expect the unexpected.

6. Use them properly and make sure they have been cancelled after the turn or lane change.

Till next time – Ride Safe and Stay Visible.

Collen Campbell
Chapter M-2 Rider Educator