Which is the safer lane?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 2
From: Cocoa Beach, Florida
Ya' know, back when the earth was flat, I was a M/C safety coach in the service and we used to get input from all sorts of sources. One statistic I'll never forget was that about 80% of the M/C accidents were caused by a cager and over 50% of those were left-hand turns right into the path of a M/C with almost all of the cage drivers saying "I just didn't see them".
Does anyone know if this still holds true? I bet it does.
Does anyone know if this still holds true? I bet it does.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 765
Likes: 49
From: New Jersey
I would choose the lane that provides the least resistance while anticapating a cager to come from the lane with the most resistance and not care to look for me or anyone else on two wheels Ride Safe
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112,202
Likes: 1,316
From: On a hill among the hills, PA
if ya think about it.. I drive a pickup and when you are sittin in the drivers seat look at how much the mirriors and roof post actually block your view! Motorcycle is such a small target when you look at it this way! It happens more often and not and with all the distractions cagers may be dealing with, cell phones, passengers, GPS monitors and what ever else it multiplies greatly! Never assume someone can see you!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 8
From: General Sherman's Christmas Location 1864
R/H lane for shoulder if needed, or depends on situation,
I have come to realize FLORIDA drivers SUCK
They think they own the highway and the L/H lane is the slow lane.
"there is no R/H lanes in florida"
I have come to realize FLORIDA drivers SUCK
They think they own the highway and the L/H lane is the slow lane.
"there is no R/H lanes in florida"
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
It's hard to say which lane is safer.Some people that drive cages are unpredictable.They could make a left turn in front of you,turn onto the hwy. from a side street or just plain cut you off from either lane.
When I commute to work I have to travel 12 miles on a two lane road with no divider to get to the freeway.I ride in the right hand side of the lane.If something stupid was to happen,I still have another 6-8' of paved shoulder.
When I commute to work I have to travel 12 miles on a two lane road with no divider to get to the freeway.I ride in the right hand side of the lane.If something stupid was to happen,I still have another 6-8' of paved shoulder.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
which ever lane I'm in.... and I use both (all) I try to position myself where folks can see me, and not think I'm an open spot for them to use.
That being said, I still try to avoid those pesky cages. Moving from side to side in your lane will catch their attention, while remaining in one position, will cause you to "blend into a cager's background"
That being said, I still try to avoid those pesky cages. Moving from side to side in your lane will catch their attention, while remaining in one position, will cause you to "blend into a cager's background"
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 4
From: Austin, TX - Some call it heaven.
I try to ride in the middle lanes. The right lanes leaves you vulnerable to someone entering the roadway right in front of you.
In the middle lanes, you have to be extremely aware of blind spots. Make sure you are never riding next to the rear wheel of the guy on your right, if he decides to move left you're in big trouble. But at least you have the option of speeding up or slowing down to get out of his way.
I always try to know who's behind me as well, because slamming on my brakes may not always be the best otpion to get out of a jam if someone's right on my ***.
I also try to assume that people don't see me, and that they are going to pull out right in front of me, and I'm always trying to figure out an escape route.
In the middle lanes, you have to be extremely aware of blind spots. Make sure you are never riding next to the rear wheel of the guy on your right, if he decides to move left you're in big trouble. But at least you have the option of speeding up or slowing down to get out of his way.
I always try to know who's behind me as well, because slamming on my brakes may not always be the best otpion to get out of a jam if someone's right on my ***.
I also try to assume that people don't see me, and that they are going to pull out right in front of me, and I'm always trying to figure out an escape route.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 8
I don't know if any lane is 'safer', when travelling on a hwy or freeway like that. You often need to utilize both lanes for different reasons. You'll tend to pass the slower traffic and avoid merging traffic by opting for the inside lane, but ... you always have to plan ahead when riding a motorcycle ... No matter which lane you are in you always have to keep in mind your first line of defense .. an "out"...someplace you can go to avoid a collision.
You have to keep intuned with the possibility of a defensive maneuver in case something happens in front of you that you need to avoid. Travelling in the outside lane will usually provide you with a least an exit or a shoulder to maneuver around any obstacles in the road without becoming an obstacle for oncoming traffic.
Again, depending on how close traffic is flowing, you don't have as many options if you travel in the inside lane as you do the outside lane because your 'out' is hampered by the on coming traffic already travelling in the inside lane. You need someone place to 'go' (in a hurry) to avoid contact with other motorists or obstacles on the roadway. This is where having eyes in the back of your head would come in handy.
Personally, I like hwys or freeways with a middle lane. Although, travelling on a 3 lane offers even more hazards, this may offer you a quicker solution to something that happens ahead of you like the ability to go around an obstacle as opposed to smashing right into it or running over it. The more options you have the better.
You have to keep intuned with the possibility of a defensive maneuver in case something happens in front of you that you need to avoid. Travelling in the outside lane will usually provide you with a least an exit or a shoulder to maneuver around any obstacles in the road without becoming an obstacle for oncoming traffic.
Again, depending on how close traffic is flowing, you don't have as many options if you travel in the inside lane as you do the outside lane because your 'out' is hampered by the on coming traffic already travelling in the inside lane. You need someone place to 'go' (in a hurry) to avoid contact with other motorists or obstacles on the roadway. This is where having eyes in the back of your head would come in handy.
Personally, I like hwys or freeways with a middle lane. Although, travelling on a 3 lane offers even more hazards, this may offer you a quicker solution to something that happens ahead of you like the ability to go around an obstacle as opposed to smashing right into it or running over it. The more options you have the better.
Last edited by bikergirl40; Mar 15, 2009 at 09:43 AM.