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Essay / The need for divided lanes for motorcycles
Motorcycles need a divided lane You hear the loud, ripping engine right in front of you out of nowhere - it's a motorcycle weaving its way through traffic and leaves you in the dust. Some are surprised that this maneuver of driving between lanes is allowed because of how dangerous it seems at first, and others are simply angry at the idea of being able to "bend the rules" and bypass traffic . But no matter how other drivers feel, it may be the only safe place a motorcyclist can be on the road. Although many drivers consider lane splitting to be a controversial issue, it will make driving safer for motorcyclists and drivers in general. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay One of the main arguments against lane sharing is that it is "inherently dangerous." Why then? According to drivers, this is simply dangerous because some idiots will change lanes without checking their mirrors and hit a cyclist they didn't notice. But what they don't understand is how much worse it could be for the cyclist if they had to do it. sit behind and in front of other cars. The American Motorcycle Association has worked to change this erroneous view by explaining that "one of the most dangerous situations for any motorcyclist on the highway is getting stuck in congested traffic, where vehicles "Stop and go, distracted and inattentive vehicle drivers, and environmental conditions present an increased risk of physical contact with another vehicle or hazard...Even minor contact in such conditions can be disastrous for motorcyclists" ( LA Weekly). Hitting a motorcycle from behind and sandwiching it between two cars can not only cause more damage than expected, but it can also result in the murder of a stranger. Additionally, motorcycles are not equipped with self-locking brakes, as this will overturn the machine. The only real way for a cyclist to avoid dangerous situations is to move between lanes. Otherwise, they end up as a stain on the highway. When drivers complain about the ability of motorcycles to pass them in traffic, they need to be aware that it's not just about getting ahead, it could potentially save their lives. In addition to accidents, there are people who don't look at their mirrors. before changing lanes. Not only is this dangerous to other drivers who could be struck if they are not paying attention, but it could also result in serious injury to a motorcyclist trying to use the divided lane. Since California recently legalized the use of divided lanes by motorcyclists, it is hoped that this will force drivers and cyclists to become familiar with the new safety measures and ultimately minimize the number of accidents on the highways. Nicholas Harris, representative of the American Motorcyclist Association, explained why "we think this is a great idea...It will give the [California Highway Patrol] the authority it needs to educate drivers and motorcyclists of California on Safety Guidelines” (LA Times). With this law in effect, drivers and cyclists will be required to comply with the new laws and resulting speed limits. This should reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by people who simply aren't paying attention. Of course,.