A 28-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion, Seattle, Washington, died in a PMV-2 mishap in Bellevue, Washington, at local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle when a vehicle turned in front of him, causing a collision. Motorcycle training, personal protective equipment and alcohol or drug use are currently unknown. Local law enforcement officials are conducting an investigation.
Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 29 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the fifth PMV-2 fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for the same time last year.
Safety tip
1. Check Your Blind Spots
Drivers should make it a habit to perform a ‘head check’ by looking over their shoulder before making any lateral moves. Additionally, adjusting your mirrors to minimize blind spots and being extra vigilant in high-traffic areas can help detect motorcycles. It’s also a good idea to anticipate a motorcyclist’s movements; if traffic is slowing down, a motorcycle may decide to change lanes quickly, and being aware of this possibility helps in preventing accidents.
At intersections, a quick double-check can make a big difference. Motorcycles might approach more quickly than anticipated or come from directions you might not initially see. Taking an extra moment to look can prevent a turn that cuts off or collides with a motorcycle.
2. Use Your Signals Early
Effective communication through signals is essential for safe driving, particularly when sharing the road with motorcycles. Early signaling gives motorcycle riders enough time to react to your actions, whether you plan to turn or change lanes. This is crucial because motorcycles are more agile and can change speed or direction suddenly in response to your movements.
It’s also important to ensure your vehicle’s signaling devices are working properly. Regular checks and maintenance keep these vital tools functional, preventing miscommunication or accidents caused by a burned-out signal bulb.
3. Maintain a Safe Following Distance
Keeping a safe distance from all vehicles is a basic rule of the road, but it’s especially important when following motorcycles. Motorcycles can stop much quicker than cars can, and they are also more susceptible to changes in road conditions. A safe following distance ensures you have time to react if the motorcycle in front of you stops abruptly or swerves to avoid a hazard.
4. Be Cautious at Intersections
Intersections are hotspots for vehicle accidents, and the dynamics of motorcycles can complicate these situations further. Drivers should exercise additional caution at intersections, taking extra time to look for motorcycles. Because of their smaller size and speed, motorcycles might appear farther away than they are, or be obscured by other vehicles, leading to misjudgments in gap assessments.
When approaching an intersection, especially when preparing to turn left, it’s crucial to anticipate that a motorcycle could be crossing your path or speeding up to make the light. These situations are often where misjudgments occur, as the motorcycle’s speed and distance might be harder to calculate than those of larger vehicles. Making eye contact with riders, if possible, can also help gauge their intentions and ensure mutual awareness.
5. Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving is a leading cause of road accidents, and even a momentary lapse can be fatal, especially when motorcycles are involved. Engaging with your phone, adjusting the radio, or other distractions can impair your ability to react to the quick movements of motorcycles.
Keeping your full attention on the road helps you stay aware of your surroundings, including any motorcycles that might be maneuvering around you or changing speeds quickly.
6. Watch for Lane Splitting
Lane splitting, where a motorcycle drives between two lanes of stopped or slowly moving cars, is legal in some states. It allows motorcyclists to navigate through traffic jams more efficiently than cars can. However, it requires car and truck drivers to be particularly vigilant, as motorcycles may appear alongside them suddenly.
7. Respect Weather Conditions
Adverse weather conditions pose a significant challenge for motorcyclists. Rain, fog and strong winds can reduce a rider’s ability to control their bike and decrease visibility. As a car or truck driver, it’s crucial to adapt your driving behavior under these conditions to avoid putting motorcyclists at further risk.
8. Understand Motorcycle Signals
Motorcycle signals can sometimes be confusing. Unlike cars, not all motorcycles have self-canceling turn signals, which can lead some riders to forget to turn them off after a maneuver. As a driver, it’s important to not always rely on the assumption that a signaling motorcycle is about to turn or change lanes.
When following a motorcycle, watch for hand signals as well. Motorcyclists often use hand signals to indicate turns or stops when the electronic signals are not working, or as an extra measure of safety.
9. Yield to Oncoming Motorcycles
Turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle is a common cause of serious traffic accidents. The smaller profile of motorcycles can make it difficult for drivers to judge their speed and distance accurately. Always err on the side of caution and assume that the motorcycle is closer and approaching faster than it appears.
Before making a left turn, look specifically for motorcycles, and wait until they have passed safely. Misjudging the speed of an oncoming motorcycle can lead to a collision, with the motorcyclist usually suffering more severe consequences.
10. Be Aware of Road Hazards
Small objects or irregularities in the road surface that may be minor annoyances to car drivers can pose serious dangers to motorcyclists. Potholes, oil slicks, puddles, debris, and even small animals can cause a motorcyclist to lose control.
When driving near motorcycles, be aware of the road conditions ahead. If you spot a potential hazard, give the motorcyclist time and space to navigate safely around it. Do not swerve suddenly to avoid an obstacle without ensuring it is safe to do so, as this could startle a motorcyclist riding nearby.
11. Night Driving
Visibility is crucial for safe driving, and at night, the risk of accidents increases. Motorcycles are less visible than cars because of their smaller size and single headlight, which can sometimes blend into the lights of other vehicles.
When driving at night, make sure your headlights are properly adjusted so they illuminate the road effectively without blinding other drivers. Keep an eye out for the distinctive single headlight of motorcycles. Extra vigilance is needed because motorcycles can appear suddenly from the darkness, especially at intersections or when they are overtaking.
12. Group Riding
Motorcyclists often travel in groups, which can be intimidating to other drivers. It’s important to understand that group riding is a safety practice for motorcyclists, as it makes them more visible and allows riders to watch out for each other.
When encountering a group of motorcyclists, avoid cutting through the group. This can be dangerous, as it disrupts the group’s dynamics and can confuse the riders, leading to potential accidents. Instead, treat the group as a single large vehicle. Give them plenty of space, and only pass if you can see that the road ahead is clear and you can overtake the entire group safely and swiftly.
13. Pass with Care
When overtaking a motorcycle, do so swiftly and give them as much space as possible. The turbulence created by your vehicle can be unsettling for motorcyclists. Pass cleanly and quickly to minimize the time spent side by side, reducing the impact of air displacement on the motorcycle.
Ensure you have sufficient space to return to your lane; cutting in too close after passing can force the motorcyclist to brake suddenly or swerve, leading to dangerous situations. Always use your signals when passing to communicate your intentions clearly, allowing the motorcyclist to prepare for your actions.
14. Be Predictable
Sudden moves by cars and trucks can be particularly dangerous for motorcyclists. Maintaining a predictable pattern of behavior — signaling intentions well in advance, sticking to your lane, following traffic signals, and not making abrupt stops or changes in speed — can significantly enhance road safety.
This predictability allows motorcyclists to anticipate your actions and respond appropriately. For instance, if you gradually slow down to stop at a light, a following motorcyclist can do the same without abrupt braking, which might lead to a skid or rear-end collision.
15. Educate Yourself and Others
Understanding the unique challenges faced by motorcyclists and educating other drivers about these issues is vital for creating a safer driving environment. Share the knowledge you gain about motorcycle safety with your family and friends. Advocate for motorcycle safety in your community, perhaps by supporting or organizing road safety workshops.
Sharing the road safely with motorcyclists is not just about following rules; it’s about fostering a culture of mutual respect and understanding. By being vigilant, considerate and informed, drivers can significantly reduce risks and ensure that the roads are safe for all travelers, regardless of how many wheels their vehicle has.
Tips provided by Strong Law