Observation links

[TC1474]

Screeching rubber on tarmac and locking brakes shatters the May air as you wrestle desperately to avoid hitting the young child who suddenly appeared from nowhere right in front of you. A near miss that could have been so much worse had you not been obeying the speed limit. But shouldn’t you have been expecting something like this to happen? After all it’s 3.30 in the afternoon and children just out of school always hang around sweet shops like the one you just passed. You just weren’t being observant enough!

As a motorcyclist, “observation” is a word you hear time and again. As a learner you are told to regularly take “rear observation” so that you are aware of what is behind you. At advanced level you are advised to develop your level of observation further up the road to give yourself more time to plan.

However, an area of observation that is often overlooked is the ability to link what you are seeing to circumstances that may develop as the ride progresses.

For example let’s take a country road on a crisp winter’s day (well not everyone hangs up their leathers at the end of October!). You’re riding along when suddenly you are confronted by a large slurry of steaming cow dung in the middle of the carriageway. What would be your first thought? For many, it would be how to avoid passing through the slurry as it is often slippery and certainly not very pleasant. Others may ask where the cows are. It would be fair to assume that if the slurry is still steaming, then it will have been recently deposited, therefore there is a better than evens chance that the cows are still in the vicinity.

Taking the link a stage further. Does the slurry cross the road from one side to another or is the road covered for some distance ahead? This will indicate to you where the cows have gone. There is also activity around the farm at the moment so you should be on the look out for farm machinery moving around the area or workers crossing the road. Potential dangers may lie ahead and the warning signs are there for you to see.

On a more routine basis, how many times have you followed behind a bus and observed a passenger stand up and move towards the exit door? If you ask the majority of riders what their thoughts might be, many would be thinking about finding a safe place to pass the bus. Before we even think about overtaking it would be worth considering the possibility of passengers running from the other side of the road to catch the bus you are following. Also look out for buses travelling the other way as bus stops are often opposite one another.

Garage Forecourts? What is the likelihood of a vehicle pulling out in front of you? Has any petrol or diesel been spilt across the road as a result of a driver’s failure to secure the filler cap?

If you are on a fast section of country road and ahead you see a solitary house standing by itself just before a bend, it may be a farmhouse set back off the road. Therefore look out for slow moving farm vehicles in the area. However, it could also be the start of a small town or village so start preparing yourself for speed limits and pedestrians. What is important is that having looked at the situation, considered the possibilities, and acted accordingly, nothing has been left to chance, and therefore there should be no nasty surprises around the corner.

Here are a few other examples:

A row of parked vehicles - doors may open, there is a possibility a vehicle may move off, pedestrians may step out into the road and small children may be hidden from view.

Ice Cream vans, mobile shops, school buses - beware of pedestrians, particularly children.

Following behind a van or lorry - look at its livery for pointers as to where it might stop. For example post boxes, shops, public houses, garages or building sites.

Traffic Accident – look out for other drivers slowing down to have a look.

If used correctly, observation links are invaluable in helping you to anticipate potential problems. By recognising where problems might arise you can give yourself that all-important ingredient - time to react. Try putting it to the test, you may surprise yourself as to how many problems you anticipate before they actually occur.

[Guest akey]

Once again top post, thanks.

anyone would think you rode a motorcycle as part of your job at some point !!!!!!

[splang]

I would guess that he is a 50yr old retired police motorcyclist...

[Guest]

I would guess that he is a 50yr old retired police motorcyclist...

or just someone with great road craft and a advanced biker...

[splang]

obviously someone who does think (not too many of those around!) and also - I've done my research.... (some thinking there too - try google)

[Guest]

obviously someone who does think (not too many of those around!) and also - I've done my research.... (some thinking there too - try google)

you just have to read his post in welcome/newbies

[splang]

Sure, and more look a little further and you get his age too!!! Welcome to the forum tc and thanks for a very informative post - sorry that we drifted off topic for a moment tc.