Looked but did not see
A driver can look straight at you and still start a maneuver. Pay attention above all to the car's movement.
A glance guarantees nothing
A driver can look directly at a motorcycle, misjudge its speed or distance, and still begin a maneuver.
Why it happens
In dense traffic, a driver watches several directions and looks for a gap. Even after noticing a motorcycle, they can misjudge its speed or path.
The driver may be looking past you
Another car, a sign, or the turn they are looking for may be behind you. It can seem as though they are looking at you while their attention is on something nearby or further away.
What to rely on
Do not rely on apparent eye contact alone. It is more useful to watch whether the car starts rolling, which way its wheels point, and how much clear space you have left.
Signs that a car is starting to move
- the front wheels turn
- the wheels begin rotating
- the car shifts relative to the road markings
- the car changes direction
Watch for gaps opening in the adjacent lane
When a gap opens in an adjacent lane, look at the vehicle beside it. Its driver may decide to move into that space, possibly across your path.
An early clue: wheel movement
You may see the front wheels turn before the car has moved noticeably sideways. When the driver's intentions are unclear, watch the wheels and the start of movement; facial expressions are harder to interpret.
A car creeping forward
At a road entrance or intersection, note the front bumper's position relative to the edge of the road. If the car creeps forward, a fixed reference point makes that movement easier to notice.
When a car could cross your path
Reduce speed, prepare to brake, and leave room to move aside if a car could enter your path.
At the first signs of movement
When the wheels turn or the car starts moving, do not wait for it to block your path. As soon as you see that your paths could cross, reduce speed and prepare to brake.
Choose a more visible position
When you have a choice, avoid blending into the body of a neighboring vehicle or another large object behind you. A small change of position within your own lane may make the motorcycle more noticeable and improve your view at the same time.
The next car
After passing in front of one car, check whether the next one behind it is starting to move. Even if the first driver let you through, the second may act differently.