Any wet road surface is dangerous, especially for bikers. Many motorcyclists leave home on a sunny day, only to get caught in the rain. This is unfortunate for several reasons. One reason being, millions of motorcyclists have their first accident in the rain and are not properly equipped to handle the surprise weather change. Visibility is affected by rain, sleet, hail and snow, making driving in these conditions, even more dangerous. Bob Karney, a Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer, understands the importance of motorcycle safety.

Below are a few safety tips, to help motorcyclists drive safely in the rain.

Drive with Caution

The surface of the road changes when it’s wet becoming more slippery than usual. During a storm, tree limbs and branches are more likely to have fallen on the pavement, and free standing water is seen in obvious places. Try to avoid driving through puddles, as they could actually be deep potholes.

Don’t Speed

Speeding is never good and is even more dangerous when it’s raining. Keep an eye on the speed limit and don’t go over the posted speed limit. If it’s raining really hard, it might be difficult to see the lines in the middle of the highway and is best to slow down. Pedestrian crossings and faded white or yellow lines might be difficult to distinguish too. Be careful going over railroad crossings; remember surfaces change dramatically when they are wet.

Brake with Ease

Braking should be done with ease. Applying the brakes too hard can cause the motorcycle to slide or flip over, which is even worse. Adjust the body weight, as more weight should be applied to the front, and less to the rear. Applying too much pressure to the rear is what causes the back end to rise, go light and potentially cause a motorcycle accident.

Practice Wet Driving

Not every motorcyclist is experienced in riding in certain weather conditions, particularly in the rain. Practicing in mud puddles is a great way to get use to driving on wet surfaces. Taking the motorcycle off the road for a few minutes per day and driving it in wet terrain is an excellent way to train for riding in the rain, and on wet surfaces. Practice helps with understanding what the motorcycle is capable of doing during a rain storm.

Proper Motorcycle and Clothes Gear

Make sure turn signals and emergency flashers are in excellent working condition. Take a raincoat along every day, because the weather is subject to change without notice. Wear bright colored clothing, especially during the dark hours, because visibility for drivers is very low. Read more about what to wear when riding your motorcycle. Be sure to check tires for leaks and rubber quality. Put all weather tires on the motorcycle if possible. Do not ride on the lines in the highway, they are very slippery and unforgiving. Never follow too closely behind other drivers, don’t talk on the phone, and remember to watch out for pedestrians.

No biker wants to get involved in a motorcycle accident. Properly understanding how to ride safely in the rain helps protect you from getting involved in a motorcycle accident. If you or  someone you know has been in a motorcycle accident, contact Bob Karney, a NC motorcycle accident attorney today by calling 877-376-7982 or by filling out the online contact form.