Part 123 - Riding Under Challenging Conditions... (",)

Riding Under Challenging Conditions
Riding after dark There is a greater risk of being in a collision when riding at night. The following are tips for safe night riding. Slow down and ride with extra caution. This will increase your ability to avoid a hazard. Evaluate your ability to see and adjust your speed accordingly. Distances are harder to judge after dark than during the day. Your eyes rely on the contrast of shadows and light to determine how far away objects are. These contrasts may be missing or distorted under artificial lights after dark. Continue to evaluate your distance from vehicles ahead and adjust your speed accordingly. Try to look past the vehicle ahead. The headlights of the vehicle ahead can extend your view of the road in front. Tail-lights bouncing up and down can alert you to bumps or a rough road ahead. On dark roads, use your high beam headlights. Get all the light you can. Remember to use your low beam headlights when you are within 150 metres behind any vehicle and within 300 metres from any oncoming vehicle. Be conspicuous. Wear reflective materials when riding after dark. A reflective vest is ideal.
Wear bright reflective tape

Keep your goggles, face shield and windshield clean. If they are badly scratched, replace them. Use only clear untinted lenses at night. Be alert for animals that may be on or near the road. Scan the roadside far ahead and look for movement or the reflection of an animal’s eyes. Be especially watchful for animals at dawn and dusk. If passing is necessary, use extra caution. Do not overdrive your headlight(s). Driving within the range of your headlights will help you to respond in time for any obstruction that may appear. Stay alert and remember that everything is harder to see after dark. If you are becoming tired, stop and rest.
Riding in poor weather
Difficult weather conditions can affect a rider adversely with regards to visibility, temperature extremes, wind and reduced traction. Think twice before riding in any poor weather. Visibility When faced with reduced visibility due to conditions such as rain, fog, smoke or dust, take the same precautions you would for riding after dark. Poor weather after dark can make poor visibility worse, so use extra caution. Temperature extremes Low temperatures can result in hypothermia, when the body loses internal heat due to cold or wind chill conditions. High temperatures can result in dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Wind

• Strong or gusty winds can affect how a motorcycle handles and may make it difficult or impossible to maintain a proper lane position.

Traction

• Traction is reduced by moisture on the road surface. Pavement is particularly slippery just after it starts to rain and before the surface oil gets washed to the side of the road.
• Wet pavement, gravel roads, sand, mud, snow, ice, painted lane markings and steel surfaces such as utility hole covers should be avoided if at all possible. To ride safely on slippery surfaces do the following:
  -Slow down before getting to a slippery surface to lessen the chances of skidding. Reduce your speed before entering wet curves.
  -Sudden change in speed or direction can cause a skid. Be smooth when speeding up, shifting gears, turning or braking. The front brake is still effective even when the motorcycle is on slippery surfaces. Squeeze the brake lever gradually to avoid locking the front wheel. Remember to use gentle pressure on the rear brake. Try to avoid quick stops.
• Dirt and gravel collect along the sides of the road, especially on curves and ramps leading to and from highways. Be aware of what is on the edge of the road, especially when making sharp turns and when entering or exiting highways.
• Cautious riders stay clear of roads that are covered with ice or snow. Patches of ice tend to form in low or shaded areas and on bridges and overpasses. Ride on the least slippery portion of the lane and reduce speed. If a slippery surface can not be avoided, keep your motorcycle upright and proceed slowly.

Use your low beam headlight when riding through fog, smoke, snow or anything else in the air. Do not use your high beam headlight as it will reduce your visibility in these conditions.
Road conditions Traction may also be reduced by: Fluid leaks from other vehicles that build up in the centre of the road. You should avoid this danger by driving in the track made by the left tires of other vehicles. Use extreme care and good judgement. Bridge decks made of metal gratings. A motorcycle will vibrate and wander slightly as it crosses the grating. It is usually not dangerous if you slow down in advance and maintain a constant speed.
	Road resurfacing. As a result of asphalt and surface upgrading, a road may have grooves cut into it. This will have similar effects to metal bridge decks. Slow down in advance and maintain a constant speed.
Railroad tracks that are at an angle to the highway. Use caution when crossing the tracks, and cross them by proceeding straight ahead.

Crossing railroad tracks

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