Scooters are distinct vehicles which are bought over and over again by people with little to no experience in driving motorbikes. Most of the time, these people don’t know how to respond to emergencies as compared with individuals who use automobiles and the usual motorcycles.
Many are unaware of road safety and oftentimes are not just a danger to themselves but other motorists as well. If you find yourself buying a scooter without prior driving experience or you know someone who is, you should remember the safety measures that should be followed.
- Drive with Care
This actually applies to all types of drivers. However, as a scooter driver you should be more careful. Driving this type of motorbike isn’t the same as driving a car. Scooter drivers are more frequently in danger as compared to car drivers. This is a known fact. Add to this, riding scooters requires so much more skill than riding other types of vehicles. You need to know how to balance your body in relation to the scooter, something you don’t have to do when using a car.
- Wear Helmet and Eye Protector
No matter how short the distance you are travelling, you should always wear protective gear. Helmets are most commonly used every time you drive any type of motorcycle. These protect your head. Brain injury is what most people try to avoid when in accidents. Broken bones can heal but brain injuries could prove fatal to the life of the motorist.
Eye protectors are important, too. A simple dust on the road or small insect invading the eyes could spell trouble. Once your eyes get irritated it would be harder for you to work out balancing the scooter, rubbing your eyes out and looking at the road ahead.
- Be Cautious in Intersections
Most scooter accidents happen in intersections. Often it is about vehicles turning left or right in front of a scooter. In some instances, car or truck driver do not notice scooters in front of them and so they continue to turn left or right, bumping the vehicle ahead. In other cases, motorists are just too fast while turning. This is why when on intersection, you should be mindful of what is happening around you to prevent getting into an accident. It will also help to place reflective stick-ons on your scooter. This is especially useful at night when some drivers could be sleepy. It is to let them know that you and your vehicle are there. You could also add stick-ons to your helmet so that other drivers could see you a lot more clearly. Some even use reflective vests.
- Always use Signal Lights
Let’s admit it! In many cases, scooter drivers are at fault in vehicular accidents. This is because they fail to use signal lights. A vehicle behind you sometimes can’t predict your movements. Therefore, if you are making a right or a left, it always helps to use your signal lights. Add to this, you should always slow down before making a turn.
- Always Keep the Front Light On
Don’t act as if all drivers could see you at night. Always turn on the front light of the scooter. It will let approaching vehicles know you are on the road. This will prevent them to do any sudden actions like overtaking.
Just because scooters are relatively small vehicles, doesn’t mean you have to neglect safety precautions when driving. Always bear in mind that accidents will never happen if all drivers are careful and abide by traffic laws at all times.