Carinfo.co.za

All About Cars
  • Rss
  • Home
    • Carinfo in the media
  • Insurance Companies
    • List of Insurance Companies in South Africa
    • Best Car Insurance Company for 2015
    • Are you using the best insurance company in South-Africa? (2014 Update)
    • Are You Using the Best Insurance Company in South Africa?
    • Overview of Insurance Companies
    • AA Insurance
    • Absa Car Insurance
    • African Independent Insurance
    • AIG Insurance
    • Alexander Forbes
    • AON Insurance
    • Auto and General
    • Budget Insurance
    • CIB Insurance
    • Dial Direct
    • Discovery Car Insurance
    • Etana Insurance
    • FNB Insurance Brokers
    • First for Women
    • Hollard Insurance
    • Indwe Risk Services
    • Integrisure
    • Kestrel
    • King Price Insurance
    • MiWay
    • Momentum Insurance
    • Mua
    • Mutual and Federal
    • Nedbank Car Insurance
    • New National Assurance
    • Oakhurst Insurance
    • Old Mutual
    • Ooba
    • OUTsurance
    • PPS Insurance
    • Prime Meridian
    • Prosper
    • Regent Insurance
    • Sanlam
    • Saxum Insurance
    • Standard Bank Car Insurance
    • Unity Insurance
    • Virgin Money Insurance
    • Virseker
    • Wesbank Car Insurance
    • Woolworths Car Insurance
    • Youi
    • Zurich Insurance
  • Car Insurance
    • Top Up Insurance: What You Need to Know
    • Why you need to worry about your Facebook account and car insurance
    • Car Insurance
    • Car Insurance Calculator
    • Car Insurance Calculator – Background
    • Insurance Aggregators
      • Hippo Insurance
    • Online Car Insurance Quotes
    • Cheap Car Insurance
    • Scratch and Dent
    • Car Insurance Terms and Definitions
    • Online Car Insurance Quotes – Questions & Answers
    • Frequently asked Car Insurance Questions and Answers
    • Comprehensive Car Insurance
    • Taxi insurance
    • Car Insurance Tips
      • How to File a Complaint with the Car Insurance Ombudsman
      • Affordable Car Insurance
      • How to Claim from the Road Accident Fund
      • 5 steps to getting car insurance
      • 5 Tips for getting good value car insurance
      • 9 ways to reduce your car insurance costs
      • Think You’re a Safe Driver? Why Not Translate that into Money Using Telematics?
    • Top 10 Reasons Car Insurance Companies Deny Insurance Claims
    • What Effects the Cost of Car Insurance Quotes
    • Car Insurance for Seniors
  • Insurance News
    • Hollard Insurance acquires Etana Insurance
    • Hippo Insurance Fined R1 Million
  • Everything Cars
    • All You Need to Know About E-Tolls
    • Remote Jamming
    • Review of Uber
    • Road Safety for Motorcyclists
    • Road Safety: The Most Common Driving Mistakes
    • Rocky Car Sale Numbers in South Africa
  • Car Hire
    • Which is the Best Car Rental Company in South Africa?
    • When is Leasing a Car Better than Buying?
    • 10 Things Not to Do When Renting a Car
    • Avis Car Hire
    • Budget Car Rental
    • Europcar South Africa
    • Hertz Car Hire
    • Tempest Car Hire
    • Thrifty Car Rental
Search the site...
Home» Motorcycles » Road Safety for Motorcyclists
Read our Terms of Use
  • Get Super Cheap Insurance
    that DECREASES Monthly!
    from King Price Insurance
  • Looking for commercial insurance for motorbikes/vans? Click here
    *By submitting this form you agree to Carinfo.co.za Terms of Use

Why you should use our services?

Insurence ‘shopping’ is usually a headache, but it took me 30 seconds to fill in a form, and within no time I received a couple of quotes, one of which was actually better than my existing insurer – so I saved time and money. Baie Dankie
Rene, Degroute (45, JHB)
Response was quick, sales agents were professional. Got a competitive price and settled for the second cheapest (I liked the good rating the company got)
Ryan Schoeman (19, Cape-Town)
Sent my details, got ​a good quote and finalized the policy. Was easy and quick. I ​don’t always find decent service these days – ​so ​Thanks
Andzile Delamini (23, Soweto)

Popular Articles

  • Driver's Licence Cr: K. Banks http://tinyurl.com/p4devpc How to Apply for a Temporary Driver’s Licence
  • How to get your learners licence How to get your Learners Licence
  • Radiator Repairs Cr: P.R. Simoes http://tinyurl.com/p4devpc How to: Radiator Repairs
Want to write a Guest Post?
Carinfo in the media

Your Vote!

What made you get car insurance?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Categories

Road Safety for Motorcyclists

November 4, 2015 - Motorcycles
0
Road Safety Cr: N. Ramasamy http://tinyurl.com/p4devpc

Road safety is important to all drivers, but if you drive a motorbike then road safety is a huge priority. According to the World Health Organisation, motorcycles account for almost a quarter of deaths on roads each year, a worrying statistic indeed. Motorcyclists are at risk on South African roads, and it’s up to you as a driver to make sure that you’re keeping road safety in mind.

Motorbikes can be a great and cost effective way to get around. And as petrol prices get higher more and more people are choosing to invest in motorbikes. If you’re one of these people, then you’ll want to keep reading to find out basic road safety rules for motorbikes.

Why Road Safety is Important for Motorbikes

A motorbike can be a good decision, saving you money, letting you easily get around, and even meaning that you can avoid traffic jams. But there are several reasons why motorcycles are more dangerous traditionally than cars:

  • You’re exposed: as a motorcyclist there is no metal protecting you in the event of an accident, unlike in a car;

  • You’re small: car drivers often don’t pay attention to motorcyclists on roads, and may not see you in time to prevent an accident;

  • You’re not protected: without the proper bike gear there’s nothing between you and the road except your clothes;

  • You’re unstable: with only two wheels, a motorbike is obviously less stable than a four wheeled car.

For all these reasons, it’s important that you keep road safety in mind. So what exactly can you do to protect yourself?

Road Safety Rule One: Motorcycle Helmets

By far the most important road safety rule when riding a motorcycle is that you wear a helmet. Firstly, this is the law, and any rider, whether passenger or driver, is required to wear a helmet. However, a helmet could very well save your life.

In South Africa a helmet must be approved by the SABS (South African Bureau of Standards) to be used for motorbiking. However, you might find it useful to also check out the UK’s SHARP rating system, a government programme designed to rate helmets for better road safety. The higher the rating of your helmet, the safer you will be.

Motorbike Gear and Accessories

When it comes to road safety, you need to be wearing the proper bike gear, no matter the weather. This means wearing full leathers, meaning both a jacket that covers your entire arms and trousers that run the full length of your legs. This is to prevent “road rash” should you have an accident. Leather is hard wearing and will prevent the road surface stripping your skin should you fall. Alternatively, you can wear reinforced clothing that you can buy at a specialist motorcycle shop.

At night you should be wearing fluorescent clothing, preferably reflective, so that you can easily be seen. And reflectors should be applied to the back of your jacket during the day, though some riders prefer wearing a reflective “road safety vest” since it’s a cheaper option and easier to put on and remove.

Finally, motorcycle boots should have a defined heel to help feet stay on pedals, you should never ride your motorbike in flip flops, sneakers, or other footwear that doesn’t have a heel!

Basic Road Safety

The basic road safety rules for driving a motorbike are the same as for safe driving in general (you can find tips for safe driving here), though there is one important difference. Of course, never drive drunk, don’t speed, pay attention to your surroundings and to weather conditions and drive appropriately. However, experts recommend that motorcyclists keep a 3 second following distance, rather than the 2 second distance recommended for cars. This simply means that there should be three seconds between you and the car in front, giving you enough distance to stop safely.

The Three Preventative Road Safety RulesRoad Safety Cr: M M http://tinyurl.com/p4devpc

There are three rules for driving a motorcycle that should increase road safety by preventing accidents BEFORE they happen. These are the three things to keep in mind:

  • Scan: scan your surroundings constantly as you’re driving, not forgetting to check rearview mirrors and peripheral vision for obstacles or potential dangers;

  • Buffer: always position your bike so that there is the maximum possible space around it on all sides, particularly when in heavy traffic;

  • Set Up: apply your brakes gently as you approach something that you think could be a danger or obstacle, this will cut down your response time and your stopping distance.

Obeying these three rules should help keep you safe out there!

Bikes, Maintenance and Road Safety

Firstly, the kind of bike you choose is going to effect road safety. You need to be honest with yourself about your size, strength and ability to control a larger bike. If you’re still in the process of choosing a motorbike, then speak to experienced riders and test drive as many bikes as possible so you know what’s comfortable for you.

Maintenance, of course, is key to road safety. Tyres should be checked regularly for bald patches, and tyre pressure should be checked weekly. Ideally, your motorcycle should undergo a full professional check up twice a year, once before summer and once before winter. A safe machine equals better road safety!

Specialist Driving for Road Safety

In South Africa you are required to have a specialist motorcycle driving license, unlike in many other countries. However, if road safety is a big concern then you might want to consider taking specialist driving courses for motorcyclists. Many driving schools offer these courses, and they range from general classes to classes on driving in bad weather, or defensive driving. One nice consequence of taking a specialist driving class (other than better road safety), is that your motorcycle insurance premiums may go down since your insurance company will consider you less of a risk.

  • Get Super Cheap Insurance
    that DECREASES Monthly!
    from King Price Insurance
  • Looking for commercial insurance for motorbikes/vans? Click here
    *By submitting this form you agree to Carinfo.co.za Terms of Use

Know When NOT to Ride

Lastly, there’s nothing wrong with not riding at all. Before you plan a trip, whether that’s a commute or a longer journey, check the weather forecast. If rain, storms, snow, ice or hail are forecast then leave your bike at home.

Driving in bad weather is far more dangerous on a motorbike than in a car. Not only are roads more slippery and dangerous, but you don’t have windshield wipers, meaning your vision is far worse. If it’s at all possible then DON’T drive in bad weather.

Road Safety for Motorcyclists: The Bottom Line

Motorbikes are undeniably more dangerous than cars. However, with the proper gear, the proper training, and sensible driving, then driving a motorbike can be cost effective as well as fun. Keep road safety in mind, and invest in the right helmet and clothing so that you don’t become a statistic.

* We do not represent any of the companies, services or products mentioned or published on this website. We are not a financial services provider or an insurance provider. If you request a quote, it may not necessarily be given by the company reviewed on that specific page. Any decisions you make based on the information presented is at your own discretion. We advise that before making any legal, financial and/or medical decision you consult with the relevant professional.

Main Subject: road safety

Other Interesting Posts

Must Have Motorcycle Accessories

Must Have Motorcycle Accessories

There are plenty of motorcycle accessories on the market these days. Of course, your motorcycle ...read more

Budget Motorbike Insurance

Budget Motorbike Insurance

Budget Insurance: Company Bio Budget Insurance was founded in 1998 in order to offer, you guessed ...read more

Auto and General Motorbike Insurance

Auto and General Motorbike Insurance

Auto and General: Company Bio Auto and General, or “The Auto & General Insurance Company”, was ...read more

motorbikes, motorcycles, road safety

Tell us your thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

eleven + five =

Why you should use our services?

Response was quick, sales agents were professional. Got a competitive price and settled for the second cheapest (I liked the good rating the company got)
Ryan Schoeman (19, Cape-Town)
Sent my details, got ​a good quote and finalized the policy. Was easy and quick. I ​don’t always find decent service these days – ​so ​Thanks
Andzile Delamini (23, Soweto)
Insurence ‘shopping’ is usually a headache, but it took me 30 seconds to fill in a form, and within no time I received a couple of quotes, one of which was actually better than my existing insurer – so I saved time and money. Baie Dankie
Rene, Degroute (45, JHB)

Popular Articles

  • Driver's Licence Cr: K. Banks http://tinyurl.com/p4devpc How to Apply for a Temporary Driver’s Licence
  • How to get your learners licence How to get your Learners Licence
  • Radiator Repairs Cr: P.R. Simoes http://tinyurl.com/p4devpc How to: Radiator Repairs
Want to write a Guest Post?
Carinfo in the media

Your Vote!

What made you get car insurance?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Categories

Categories

  • Car Hire
  • Car Insurance
  • Car Insurance Tips
  • Car Maintenance
  • Car News
  • Car Tips
  • insurance companies
  • Insurance News
  • Learners License
  • Motorcycles
  • Online Car Insurance Quotes
  • Taxi Insurance

Get in Touch

Contact Us
Carinfo in the Media

Usefull links

Car Insurance Links
List of Insurance Companies
Car Reviews
Add a Car Review
Household Insurance

Signup to our newsletter

  • *By submitting this form you agree to Carinfo.co.za Terms of Use
All rights reserved 2013 - carinfo.co.za
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
Carinfo.co.za ("the website") is not a financial services provider and does not represent any of the insurance companies presented. All content on the website is for informational purposes only and does in no way constitute legal or financial advice. We advise that before making any financial decision you consult with a professional of your choice. Although Carinfo allows some insurance companies to advertise on the website, you are not required to respond to such advertising. If you do so, it is at your own will and Carinfo will not be held liable in any shape or form for damages, direct or indirect, resulting from any decision you make based on the information on the website.