Using your eyes
Look beyond the nearest car. Notice nearby movement with peripheral vision, and look ahead for anything that may require a change of speed or line.
Do not stare at the bumper
In normal traffic, you do not need to keep staring at the nearest car. While it moves predictably, keeping it in your field of view is enough. Look farther ahead: several cars ahead, gaps between them, traffic signals, intersections, and where the road continues.
What to look for further ahead
- brake lights several cars ahead
- the start of a wave of braking through traffic
- an empty space someone could move into
- a pedestrian, cyclist, or scooter rider between stationary cars
- the point where the visible stretch of road ends
Look through the traffic
When the windows and vehicle positions allow it, look through the car ahead or past either side of it. The earlier you notice braking or a lane change, the earlier you can reduce speed or adjust your position.
When to look directly at the nearest car
Look directly at the nearest car if it brakes hard, moves sideways, approaches quickly, or blocks an important part of your view. After assessing its movement, look further down the road again.
Look through the corner
Look along the road rather than at the asphalt in front of your wheel. As more of the corner becomes visible, move your gaze further toward the exit.
Use the available width of your lane
When visibility and lane width allow, follow a smooth, wide curve within your own lane. At the same speed, a larger turn radius requires less lean and leaves more margin if you need to change your line.
A blind corner
If you cannot see the corner exit, do not rush toward the inside edge of your lane. Move inward later to keep your view of the road open longer and leave more room to adjust if the corner is tighter than it first appeared.
Keep surface checks brief
Follow the road edge and surface with peripheral vision and brief direct glances. Constantly looking just in front of the wheel makes you choose your line too late.
Briefly assess the hazard
Assess whether the obstacle is moving, where it is headed, and how much clear space remains. Once that is clear, look toward your path around it.
Then look toward the clear space
While going around the obstacle or moving away, look where you want to direct the motorcycle. This makes it easier to choose a path and begin the maneuver in time.
When the hazard keeps moving
As you look where you intend to go, the hazard usually remains visible in your peripheral vision. If it changes speed or direction, briefly check it again.
Look farther ahead immediately after the maneuver
Do not keep looking at what you have already passed. Look farther along the road and assess the situation again.