What is a common misjudgment by motorists regarding motorcycles?

Motorists often misjudge the speed and distance of motorcycles, which can lead to dangerous situations on the road. This happens because motorcycles are smaller and less familiar to some drivers, making it challenging for them to accurately gauge how fast a motorcycle is approaching or how far away it is.

For example, a motorcycle can close the distance to a driver much quicker than a larger vehicle due to its size and agility. When a driver underestimates the speed of a motorcycle, they might miscalculate gaps in traffic, making an unsafe decision about when to change lanes or make a turn. This misjudgment can result in collisions that could otherwise be avoided with better awareness of motorcycle speed and distance.

Understanding this common misperception can help both motorcycle riders and other motorists adopt safer behaviors on the road, such as increasing their watchfulness and learning to recognize the unique characteristics of motorcycles.