Did you know that grass clippings left in the roadway are a hazard for motorcyclists? May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds us that these remnants of lawn mowing are very slippery and can cause a motorcycle to lose traction!

Awareness of this and other safety guidelines from the NHTSA can help reduce roadway accidents. They recommend:

• Observe all traffic laws and always obey the speed limit.
• Slow your decision-making process down at intersections.
• When approaching a congested road, be diligent in changing your speed to match that of the other vehicles in traffic.
• When turning at an intersection, wait until you have a full view of upcoming traffic to proceed.
• Be patient.
• Drive alcohol- and drug-free.
• Allow motorcyclists a full lane width.
• Motorcyclists can be easily hidden in blind spots. Always look for them by checking mirrors and looking over your shoulder before proceeding.
• Signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging into traffic.
• Allow more following distance between your vehicle and a motorcycle in front of you. Three to four seconds is recommended.