Virginia State Police have invited local residents to take part in a free motorcycle safety course and self-assessment called “Ride 2 Save Lives” this Saturday.
It is a free course that will be held Saturday, July 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Morton’s BMW Motorcycles located at 5099 Jefferson Davis Highway in Fredericksburg. Space is limited to 30 people.
According to a press release from Public Relations Director for Virginia State Police Corinne Geller, Richmond Division Motors Unit will be instructing participants on all aspects of rider safety through the use of SIPDE (Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute). SIPDE is the same training required of all VSP motorcycle operators.
The motorcycle safety course provides riders with proper techniques on how to handle hazards, special situations, interstate highways, curve negotiations, and much more, according to Geller.
Social distancing measures will be in place for the safety of those in attendance, according to Geller. Riders must have a valid operator’s license with a class “M” endorsement, appropriate riding attire, a helmet, and eye protection.
The motorcycles must be street legal and helmets must be Department of Transportation approved to participate in this program, according to the press release.
Registration closes Wednesday, July 22. For those interested, registration is available online through the Virginia State Police Facebook page under “events” or at eventbrite.com.
To prevent crashes with motorcyclists, Police ask drivers to follow several safety tips:
- Take extra care when making a left turn. It’s easy to misjudge the speed and proximity of an oncoming motorcycle. It’s safest to let the motorcycle pass to avoid turning in front of the rider.
- Give driving your full attention. Even a momentary distraction, such as answering a phone call or changing the radio station, can have deadly consequences.
- Look twice when changing lanes. Check mirrors and blind spots, and always use turn signals.
- Give motorcyclists room when passing them. Move over to the passing lane, and don’t crowd the motorcyclist’s full lane.
- Stay back. When a motorcyclist downshifts instead of applying the brake to slow down, it can catch drivers off guard since there are no brake lights to signal a reduction in speed.
- Slow down. Obey the posted speed limit.
Article Retrieved from Potomac Local
