We Should all Mind the Gap; Bikers Even More So
When you’re hopping onto, or off of, a railway, there’s often a written notice and an automated voice that tells you to “Mind the Gap.”
It’s particularly popular in the UK, but used in a bunch of other places around the world as well. The concept is simple: don’t step into the gap.
When you’re riding your motorcycle, you should mind that gap as well. But we’re not talking about slipping into a gap or a hole here; we’re talking about the gap between your bike and the vehicle ahead of you.
Why You Need to Mind the Gap
Whether you’re driving a passenger vehicle, a big truck, or a motorcycle, one of the primary rules of stopping behind another vehicle is to include a gap.
This gap is your safety buffer zone. It’s a small distance that can keep you from ramming into the back of the vehicle ahead of you in the event that you’re hit from behind. Not only is pulling right up on the bumper of the person ahead of you disconcerting to them; it’s dangerous to you.
To prevent a motorcycle wreck, you want that buffer as an escape. If the driver coming from behind isn’t paying attention, and they smash into the back of you, the gap is going to prevent you from being crushed between the two vehicles.
But if you’re paying attention, you might be able to avoid the wreck all together.
How Big Should the Gap Be
Now here comes the difficult question: how big should the gap be?
There really isn’t a set answer. You can’t say that exactly 11 feet 9.2 inches is the proper gap size. Instead, you have to use your best judgment. How big of a gap do you need in order to escape from a potential wreck? Can you get clear with a 5 foot gap instead of a 10 foot?
One rule of thumb that many passenger vehicle use is that you should be able to see the tires meet the road on the car ahead of you.
What to do When Minding the Gap
Having the gap is going to help protect you, but minding the gap is going to protect you even more.
When you pull up, you keep your gap. But due diligence isn’t over yet. Now you have to watch behind you in case someone is fiddling with their radio, texting their BFF, ogling their GPS, or otherwise distracted from the road. Even with the gap, a rear end collision is not going to end well.
If you see someone zooming toward you so fast they don’t look like they could stop; you get out of the way! Your gap should be large enough to vacate the area so you aren’t hit at all.
It’s a lot more work for you, the rider, but it’s also a lot better than being crushed between two vehicles.
Herbert Law Group: Motorcycle Crash Lawyer in Dallas
Here at Herbert Law Group, our goal is to ensure that you’re taken care of after a motorcycle wreck.
Property damage, mental damage, and bodily injury should all be accounted for if you’ve been hit on your bike. But most insurance companies aren’t going to offer up a settlement that takes care of all your needs so that you can focus on healing.
You need a motorcycle crash lawyer in Dallas that knows exactly what to argue for so that you can remove all the financial stress from your life, and focus on getting better.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, give us a call at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form. Let’s get to know each other, and see how Herbert Law Group can help you.