Motorcycle Driving in Normal Conditions
Driving a motorcycle requires a higher level of attention than other vehicles. Our silhouette is narrower, and we are more vulnerable. In this topic, we break down the keys to anticipating danger, positioning ourselves correctly on the road, and performing safe maneuvers.
1. Anticipation and Defensive Driving
A motorcycle rider must not only react; they must anticipate. Anticipation is the foundation of defensive driving.
- Objective: To foresee the movements of other road users (e.g., if a car brakes, it might be about to turn).
- Vulnerability: Being more fragile than a car, our ability to anticipate others' mistakes is vital for our survival.
2. Position on the Road and Lane Usage
Knowing where to position ourselves is the first step to avoiding accidents, especially on roads outside built-up areas.
Position within the lane
Although the general rule in curves and brows of hills with no visibility is to stay close to the right, under normal conditions, the motorcycle should not stay excessively close to the edge.
- We should ride through the center of the lane.
- Why? To maintain a minimum lateral safety distance and make ourselves more visible.
Use of lanes
- General rule: Ride in the lane furthest to the right.
- Overtaking: We will use the left lanes to overtake if traffic permits.
- Specific prohibition: On roads with two-way traffic and three lanes, it is not permitted to ride in the center lane except for overtaking or turning left (and never overtake if there is a risk).
3. Safety Distances
Maintaining adequate space allows us to react in time. There are two types of critical distances: frontal and lateral.
Frontal Distance (Safety Interval)
This is the space necessary to stop in case of sudden braking by the vehicle ahead without colliding.
| Situation | Rule to apply |
|---|---|
| Normal conditions | Leave an interval of at least 2 seconds. |
| Bad conditions / High speed | Increase the distance (e.g., rain, fog). |
| No intention to overtake | Leave enough space so that another vehicle can overtake us and return to the lane safely. |
Lateral Distance
This varies drastically depending on whether we are in a built-up area or on the open road.
| Type of Road | Maneuver | Minimum Lateral Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Roads (Built-up areas) | Passing vehicles or pedestrians | Distance proportional to speed and road width. |
| Interurban Roads (Outside built-up areas) | Overtaking vehicles | Minimum 1.50 meters. |
| Passing other vehicles | Passing in the opposite direction | Adequate lateral separation (minimum 1.5m when overtaking pedestrians/cycles outside built-up areas). |
4. Speed
The appropriate speed is that which allows us to control the motorcycle in the face of any obstacle.
Situations to moderate or stop speed
We must reduce speed (even stop if necessary) when:
- There are pedestrians or animals on the road (especially children or the elderly).
- Approaching school buses at a stop.
- There is slippery pavement, dense fog, or heavy rain.
- There is a risk of glare/dazzle.
Exam Fact! At intersections where visibility is practically zero, the maximum speed must not exceed 50 km/h.
Perception of speed (Apparent speed)
Beware of "speed adaptation" (speed blindness). After driving for a long time on a motorway, when exiting, we have the sensation of being stationary even if we are going fast.
- It is difficult to calculate the speed of oncoming vehicles (we only see them increasing in size).
Reducing speed
If you are going to brake considerably, you must warn those behind you.
- Optical signal: Repeatedly tapping the brake lights (touching the brake several times).
- Manual signal: Moving the arm up and down with the palm facing downwards.
5. Reaction and Braking Times and Distances
It is crucial to understand the difference between reacting and braking.
Reaction Time
This is the time from when you see the obstacle until your brain gives the order to act.
- Average time: Approximately 1 second (between 0.75 and 1s).
- Factors that worsen it: Fatigue, alcohol, drugs (they increase the time, so you travel more meters).
- Reaction distance: The meters you travel during that second.
Braking Distance
The meters the motorcycle travels from the moment you apply the brake until it stops.
- Wet ground: The distance is doubled.
- Ice: The distance can be up to 10 times greater.
Stopping Distance (Technical Stop) = Reaction Distance + Braking Distance.
6. Visibility and Observation
To drive safely, you must see and be seen.
- Observation: Look far ahead (anticipation) and use the rearview mirrors (indirect vision). Remember that mirrors have blind spots.
- Being seen:
- Always keep the dipped beam (low beam) headlight on.
- Wear light-colored or high-visibility clothing.
- Light-colored helmet.
- Use reflective stickers.
7. Overtaking
The acceleration capacity of a motorcycle facilitates overtaking, but it does not eliminate the risk.
Steps for safe overtaking
- Observe: Look in the mirror and ensure no one is overtaking us.
- Check ahead: Ensure the vehicle in front does not have its left indicator on.
- Signal: Turn on the indicator.
- Execution: Accelerate decisively, maintaining lateral separation.
- Return: Move back to the right when we see the overtaken vehicle in the rearview mirror.
Prohibitions
Overtaking is prohibited in tunnels with only one lane per direction and in underpasses if the oncoming lane must be invaded.