Drivers, watch out for motorcycles

Now is a good time to remind drivers that they need to watch out for motorcycles on the road now that the warm weather is here.

Please remember that motorcycles have the same right to the road as cars and trucks, and drivers need to make a special effort to look out for two-wheeled vehicles.

In over half the accidents involving a motorcycle and car, it is the fault of the automobile driver turning in front of the motorcycle that caused the accident.

In virtually all cases, the auto driver claims not to have seen the motorcycle. Drivers are used to looking for larger vehicles and too often the small motorcycle doesn't register until it's too late.

With gas prices creeping up to $4 per gallon, more and more folks will be using their motorcycles and scooters to commute to work and for their daily chores.

Even the largest motorcycles are twice as fuel efficient as most cars and many motorcycles and scooters get triple the mileage of even economy cars.

So their appearance on the public roads should be a welcomed sight. They deserve to share the roads with cars and be safe in their travels.

Remember, while many motorcyclists may look ominous and threatening in their protective black leather garb, it is most likely that they are your kids teacher, or doctor or the guy who owns the dry cleaning store in town.

Motorcycle riders come from every walk of life, have wives and kids just like you, and just want to get home safely to them every time they ride.

So give them some extra courtesy on the road, give them a friendly wave and keep your eyes peeled for them in your mirrors and through your windshield, because they are more vulnerable than you are in a 3,500-pound car or SUV.

Please, keep your eyes opened and look for that single headlight. Don't let your inattentiveness turn a wife into a widow or innocent children into orphans.

Ken Glassman

Arlington Heights