Although two-wheelers wreak havoc on the road sometimes as we discussed last week, even car drivers need also to be considerate towards the motorcyclists and even cyclists. This is especially true of those motorcyclists who are driving not for fun or to show off their circus skills but are driving from point A to point B with a sense of purpose – restaurant delivery boys, couriers, postmen or even common expatriates who cannot afford a car but would like to graduate beyond a bicycle.
The first thing to remember on spotting a motorcyclist – or a cyclist, though they are rarely spotted on the main highways ahead is that you have to steer clear of him. But while you have to overtake him, you must not do so in a hurry. Keep him in focus as you move. But about 50 yards before you mean to overtake him, slow down a bit and look in the rear-view mirror for any vehicle to your left. That is because while you may not want to leave your lane, since the motorcyclist is also in the same lane you must leave a gap of at least four feet between him and your vehicle as you go past him. Which means you may have to intrude, not enter, the left lane for a while.
Therefore, drive patiently behind a motorcyclist or a cyclist until you find that the left lane is clear, enter that lane to make room for the motorcyclist, quickly swish past him and re-enter your lane completely once you have made sure he is behind your vehicle.
On the contrary, if you spot a motorcyclist behind you who may be approaching you fast, be prepared to make room for him. Since you are ahead, there is no need to necessarily make room by entering the left lane; you may choose to get closer to the right side of the road so that he is able to drive through the middle of the two lanes, along the road-divider markings so to say.
But whatever you do, be considerate to working-class cyclists and motorcyclists. It is not an easy or enviable job to drive on a two-wheeler exposed to the midday sun wearing a helmet. Therefore adopt a sympathetic and friendly attitude towards them as you steer past them in your air-conditioned comfort.
Happy Driving.