Hazard perception handbook - RTA

A motorcycle can also fit into the blind spots to the left and right of your car.
you may not be able to see them at all without doing a head check. So check your
mirrors and blind spots carefully before changing lanes or diverging.
In too many crashes involving motorcycles, the other driver claims not to have seen
the motorcyclist. This may be true, but is of no comfort to the motorcycle rider.
Common crash types involving motorcycles are:
• Where another vehicle turns across the path of an oncoming
motorcycle.
• Where a turning motorcycle is struck by a vehicle going straight through.
This means that you need to scan carefully for motorcycles when you are selecting a
safe gap to turn, cross an intersection, pass or overtake.
Trucks and buses
Heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses are usually easier to see than other vehicles
due to their size. While this will help you see them, it also means that they can hide
other vehicles or pedestrians behind them or beside them. This means it is very
important to scan around these vehicles.
When following a bus or truck you may need to give yourself more following
distance so that you can see around it. The following pictures show how much more
you can see at a five second following distance than at a three second following
distance at 60 km/h.
you have probably noticed that trucks and buses take up more road space and
need more room to make turns. Don’t try to compete with them for the same piece
of road. Give them plenty of room, particularly when they are making a turn or
braking.
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