May is Motorcycle Awareness Month and a reminder to stay alert for motorcycles on the roadway to help save lives. Here are a few safety tips for Illinois drivers to keep in mind when sharing the road with motorcyclists:
• Allow more follow distance when behind a motorcycle. This gives them more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
• Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic. Remember, a motorcycle can easily be hidden behind other vehicles.
• Though a motorcycle is a small vehicle, its operator still has the same rights of the road as any other motorist. Allow the motorcycle the full width of a lane at all times.