Play well with others: Nationwide’s tips for sharing the road
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2008
Contact:
Liz Christopher 614-249-7705
christe1@nationwide.com
enthusiasts as warmer weather provides ideal riding conditions. To keep all travelers safe this spring and summer, and in recognition of May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the experts at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company are offering key safety tips for motorists.
“With so many cars on the road, many motorists unintentionally fail to recognize motorcycles, an error that jeopardizes both riders and drivers,” said Bill Windsor, Nationwide’s associate vice president of safety. “Simple tips, like pausing for an extra second to check for motorcycles when merging, can help ensure smooth travels for riders and drivers alike this summer.”
Windsor offers additional safety tips for motorists:
• Be aware of the size and location of your blind spots.
Drivers of larger vehicles, such as RVs, should remember motorcycles can
easily hide in a blind spot. Always signal and check your line of sight
when merging lanes.
• Leave sufficient space between vehicles. Motorcyclists
often need to make sudden adjustments to avoid surface hazards, such as
gravel or oil.
• Proceed cautiously at intersections. When making a turn,
remember that the small size of a motorcycle makes it difficult to judge
how far away it is and how fast it is moving. Predict a motorcycle is
closer than it looks.
• Be aware of items stored outside a vehicle, as they may loosen
and fly into the road, proving hazardous for motorcyclists and other
drivers. In particular, drivers towing a boat should secure all items and
make necessary adjustments at every stop.
• Take care to stay in your lane while turning. Remember
that RVs and towing vehicles have a larger turning radius than passenger
vehicles. Avoid sudden moves while executing a turn.
In its motorcycle and powersports insurance policies, Nationwide offers coverages, such as theft, collision, vandalism and damage caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers. To learn more about motorcycle insurance or powersports insurance or to find an agent, visit www.nationwide.com.
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more than $161 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks #104 on the Fortune 500 list. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.
Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
