Motorcycle season is fast approaching in Connecticut and other states on the East Coast after an unusually long and harsh winter. Unfortunately, what that also means is that motorcycle-involved accidents will be on the rise.

For that reason, now is an excellent time for both motorcyclists and motorists to revisit tips for sharing the road safely. Recently, we published an article featuring safety advice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that is worth another look:

Safety tips for drivers:

• Always give motorcyclists the full width of a traffic lane
• When following a motorcycle, give it even more space than cars as they can stop much quicker
• Watch for motorcycles at intersections and before making lane changes by checking your mirrors and blind spots
• Be sure to signal before making turns or lane changes to warn motorcyclists who you may not see
• Remember that turn signals on motorcycles often do not self-cancel so wait until the motorcyclist actually turns or changes lanes instead of trusting the signal

Safety tips for motorcyclists:

• Take training courses and become properly licensed
• Make sure to take a refresher course if needed
• Never operate a motorcycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Invest in a quality helmet and protective gear as it is the only thing between you and the pavement
• Add reflective tape to your gear if it doesn’t already have it to become more visible to cars
• Always follow traffic laws, including speed limits
• Make sure to use both hand signals and turn signals when changing lanes to warn motorists

These are all great tips that can save lives. Motorcycle accidents often result in death or serious injury, which is why it’s so important to put safety first and watch for motorcyclists now that the weather is warming up.