Page 36 - Georgia Motorcycle Operators Manual 2020
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5SECTION : STREET STRATEGIES
slow down. This will hopefully discourage the brake lever gradually to avoid locking the tracks, ruts, or pavement seams to cross at an
them from tailgating and warn them of hazards front wheel. Remember, apply gentle pres- angle of at least 45. Then, make a quick, sharp
ahead they may not see. sure on the rear brake. turn. Edging across could catch your tires and
Surfaces that provide poor traction include: throw you off balance.
Horn • Wet surfaces – Particularly, just after it starts
Be ready to use your horn to get someone’s to rain and before surface oil washes to the Railroad Crossings
side of the road. When it starts to rain, ride in • Trains and motorcycles don’t mix. Never
attention quickly. Keep in mind that a motor- the tire tracks left by cars and avoid pooled
cycle’s horn isn’t as loud as a car’s, therefore, use water and highway ruts. Often, the left tire race a train to the crossing — even if you
it, but don’t rely on it. Other strategies may be track will be the best position, depending tie, you lose.
appropriate along with the horn. on traffic and other road conditions as well. • The train you see is closer and faster moving
• Ice or snow covered surfaces – Snow than you think. If you see a train approach-
5.7 – Speed Management melts faster on some sections of a road than ing, wait for it to go by before you proceed
on others. Patches of ice can occur in low or across the tracks.
Handling Dangerous Surfaces shaded areas and on bridges and overpasses. • Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly.
• Slippery surfaces It is recommended you avoid snow and ice Even if the locomotive engineer sees you, a
• Railroad tracks covered surfaces. freight train moving at 55 miles per hour can
• Grooves and gratings • Shiny surfaces – Metal covers, steel plates, take a mile or more to stop once the emer-
bridge gratings, train tracks, lane markings, gency brakes are applied. That’s 18 football
Slippery Surfaces leaves and wood can be very treacherous fields!
On slippery surfaces, you should use added when wet. • Never drive around lowered gates — it’s
• Dirt and gravel – On curves and ramps illegal and deadly. If you suspect a signal is
caution. Motorcycles handle better when ridden leading to and from highways, dirt and malfunctioning, call the 1-800 number posted
on surfaces with good traction. Maintaining gravel can collect along the sides of the road.
balance and cycle control are difficult on slip- Choose a lane position that minimizes the
pery surfaces. risk of injury.
• Oil spots – Watch for these when you put
To reduce your risk, you can take certain your foot down to stop or park. You may slip
preventative measures: and fall. Securing the proper footing will
• Reduce Speed – Slow down before you get help you from losing your balance or falling.
to a slippery surface to lessen your chances Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracks
of skidding and increase your following dis- and Pavement Seams
tance. Your motorcycle needs more distance
to stop. And, it is particularly important to Usually, it is safer to ride straight within your
reduce speed before entering wet curves. lane to cross tracks. Turning to take tracks at a
• Avoid Sudden Moves – Any sudden 90 degree angle can be more dangerous – your
changes in speed or direction can cause a path may carry you into another lane of traffic.
skid. Be as smooth as possible when you
speed up, shift gears, turn or brake. For track and road seams that run parallel
• Use Both Brakes – The front brake is still to your course, move far enough away from
effective, even on a slippery surface. Squeeze
Wet Surfaces Crossing Parallel Tracks Crossing Tracks
34 2019-2020 GEORGIA MOTORCYCLE OPERATORS MANUAL
