| Everywhere you go, you see them scooting about. | | | | your garments. This especially helps during nighttime, |
| Mopeds and scooters are popular modes of | | | | dawn and dusk. Consider boots, a jacket, long pants |
| transportation for many reasons including cost, | | | | and gloves. Protect your eyes with safety glasses or |
| storage space, and concerns on the environment. But | | | | goggles. |
| it is important to practice defensive driving when | | | | |
| they are on the road. | | | | A leading factor in the death and disability of motor |
| Determining how fast a moped or scooter is traveling | | | | scooter and moped crashes is head injury. Wearing a |
| is difficult. They are also smaller, difficult to see, and | | | | helmet is the single most effective means to prevent |
| appear farther away than they really are. Maintain | | | | head injury. Ensure that your helmet fits properly and |
| your scan of the road to ensure you are aware of | | | | is Department of Transportation approved. Most |
| their location and continually check your blind spots. | | | | states have some form of mandatory helmet use. |
| Expect the unexpected and prepare to react by | | | | Create a space cushion around your vehicle. The |
| always keeping plenty of space around your vehicle. | | | | center of the lane is the best position to be in if |
| Increase your following distance to a minimum of | | | | riding alone. If traveling in a group, stagger the |
| four seconds in ideal weather conditions and 5 | | | | scooters positions in the lane. Always drive |
| seconds in inclement weather and at night. Even wind | | | | defensively; looking for an escape route, should you |
| can affect the stability and direction a scooter | | | | need to make an evasive maneuver. Check your blind |
| travels. Dim you high beams at night when | | | | spots and complete a visual scan every three to five |
| approaching a moped or scooter as they are more | | | | seconds. Turning your headlights on during the day |
| susceptible to their blinding affect. | | | | can improve your ability to be seen by pedestrians |
| | | | | and other vehicles. When riding, your hands should be |
| If travelling by a moped or scooter take extra | | | | on the handlebars and your feet on the floorboards. |
| precautions. Check to make sure you have met all | | | | Watch out for road hazards and defects. Signal well |
| the legal licensing, registration and equipment | | | | in advance, and consider using hand signals for extra |
| requirements for your local and state area before | | | | safety. |
| travelling on the road. Some vehicles with a motor | | | | |
| capacity of 50cc are classified as a motorcycle and | | | | Be extra cautious when approaching driveways, |
| require a Motorcycle Safety Course. Know before | | | | parking lots, and intersections. Reduce your speed for |
| you go. | | | | lower visibility conditions such as dawn, dusk, |
| Make sure your equipment is working and in excellent | | | | nighttime and poor weather. Avoid having sudden |
| condition. Prevent problems on the roadway by | | | | starts, braking and quick turns as they cause |
| making sure that your tires have the right amount of | | | | instability. |
| tread and are properly pressurized. Evaluate your | | | | |
| load, cargo and whether to have a passenger as | | | | When reaching your destination, park on level ground, |
| they directly affect your vehicles stability, | | | | turn off the engine and if you have any passengers |
| performance and ability to maneuver. | | | | let them get off the scooter first. |
| | | | | |
| Wear clothing that will give the greatest protection in | | | | With awareness and a few extra precautions, |
| a fall. Choose clothing that is light, bright and snug. | | | | mopeds and scooters can operate safely on our |
| Increase your visibility by adding reflective tape to | | | | roads. |