Driving is dangerous at the best of times, and being on a motorcycle only increases your chance of injury. If you’ve engaged in dangerous driving in the past, you may find yourself in the high-risk category. Here are some ways you can improve your driving and be safer on the road.

The Ride Academy

How to Know If You’re High Risk

The first step to becoming a better driver is knowing if you’re high risk. According to the website Auto Insurance, "The ‘high risk’ label is given to drivers who have too many negative items on their driving records, whether those items are too many tickets and violations, traffic accidents, convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or other offenses." Even something like poor credit history or a lapse in auto or motorcycle insurance can increase your risk factor. That means it’s best to stay insured or get covered as soon as possible. So, do what you can to get a better record — and better insurance — today.

Use the Right Gear

If you don’t have the right gear, your own safety decreases, but you may also be more likely to make mistakes as you drive.For instance, if you don’t have protective eyewear or earplugs, you could be dazzled by the sun or the sound of traffic as you hit high speeds. Without seeing and hearing properly, you might end up in an accident. Given this, check out reviews of helmets, jackets, and even motorcycle pants to have the best protection available.

Take Precautions

When conditions are clear and traffic scarce, there is nothing quite like driving a motorcycle. Unfortunately, it’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of security. After all, the roads can become dangerous in an instant, with one unexpected lane-change from a car ahead. That’s why, though you may want to fly down the freeway, you should slow down. Indeed, no one can tell when another driver will do something unpredictable, such as run a red light, make a sudden lane change, or try to overtake you. Rather than getting angry or trying to get ahead because you were “in the right,” you have to remember that your life is more important. Reckless driving can get you killed, especially so when you’re on a motorcycle.

Stay Focused

You must be alert at all times when on your bike. Yes, that means being wary of other drivers, but also staying focused on yourself. Of course, there are many distractions, but it's vital that you not check your phone, change the radio, or read billboard signs. Instead, your eyes should be on the road ahead, constantly checking for possible dangers. To be fully aware, you’ll have to be well-rested, too. For some, that means getting seven hours of sleep nightly while others might need closer to nine. Whatever the amount, sleep cannot be cut back safely to give us more hours in a day. Above all, you must make it a priority to keep yourself secure on the road.

Be Clear-Headed

Nothing increases your chances of an accident the way being under the influence does. Your brain can’t focus well, and you suffer lapses in judgment when driving either drunk or when using drugs. In fact, not only do you run the risk of being injured, you could harm others as well. Even if no one gets hurt, you might still lose your license at best — or go to prison at worst. Moreover, you’ll struggle to find insurance, and to gain your license back, you may need additional testing. All in all, it isn’t worth the cost, no matter the substance or how confident you are that you’ll be fine. Wait until you’re sober to get on your bike.

No one wants to become a statistic. Being a safe driver truly is a matter of life and death. So, don't wait until tomorrow to make the roads a safer place for you and everyone else.

Image courtesy of The Ride Academy

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