Last Updated: 2/14/2009

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Tennessee Tour "Cruising For Awareness"

Automotive, Motorcycle Power sports and Truck Safety Awareness Tour

The Suzuki Owners Club of North America is kick-starting efforts to promote Automotive/Motorcycle Power sports Safety Awareness throughout Tennessee.

The SOC, its local club chapters and other organizations are touring Tennessee starting on March 2nd, 2009 in Memphis, TN to increase awareness of motorcyclists as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month approaches. The tour will end June 2009 in Johnson City, TN. at its Annual Southeastern Rally. click here for a complete list of event locations.

The focus of the tour is to get everyone on the road to be attentive to motorcyclists, as well as other vulnerable road users when many more riders are taking to the streets. The more important part of this effort is to increase awareness among the non-riding majority.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has five simple rules for motorcyclists, and five for drivers, too. If everyone followed them, the roads would be a lot safer.

Five rules for motorcycle enthusiasts:

• Get Trained and Licensed - Take an M-S-F Rider Course and get licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

• Wear Protective Gear - Wear proper protective riding gear, most importantly a helmet made to Department of Transportation standards.

• Ride Unimpaired - Ride unimpaired, never drinking or using other drugs before getting on a motorcycle.

• Ride Within Your Limits - Stay within your personal limits, never riding faster or farther than your abilities can handle.

• Be a Lifelong Learner - Be lifelong learners, regularly returning for refresher riding courses.

Five rules for car and truck drivers:

• Look Out for Motorcyclists - Use your eyes and mirrors to see what’s around.

• Don't Be Distracted - Hang up and drive, put down the food, the pet, the personal grooming gear, the CD, and the reading material and save it for later.

• Give Two-Wheelers Some Room - Don't tailgate or get too close side-by-side.

• Use Your Turn Signals - Signal your intentions. It's also the law.

• Keep it in the Car - Don’t throw trash and cigarettes out the window, and securely lash down cargo that can fall out on the road and be a deadly hazard.

QUICK TIPS: Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles

1. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.

2. Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.

3. Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections.

4. Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don't assume all motorcyclists are speed demons.

5. Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.

6. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle's signal is for real.

7. Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.

8. Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.

9. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can't always stop "on a dime."

10. When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as motorcycle; think of it as a person.