“Look twice, save a life” isn’t just a slogan—it’s solid advice. While safety should always be the main concern whenever you’re driving, when automobiles and motorcycles begin to share the road in warmer months, it’s a good idea to be extra vigilant.

Remember, motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway. It’s important for motorists to understand the safety challenges faced by motorcyclists, such as size, visibility and motorcycle riding practices, to know how to best respond to them.

Whether you’re the one operating the automobile or the motorcycle, check out our 10 tips for sharing the road to make sure everyone makes it to their destination safely.

1. Share the road, not the lane.
Although it may look like there’s enough room in a single lane for both an automobile and a motorcycle, remember the motorcycle needs the room to maneuver safely. Give the motorcyclist some space and don’t share the lane.

2. Increase your following distance for flashing turn signals.
Self-cancelling turn signals didn’t become standard on motorcycles until the 1970s, and there are still a lot of motorcycles on the road today without them. When you see a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle, wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you attempt to pass it. If you notice that a motorcyclist has been driving with the turn signal on for a while, increase your following distance so that if it does turn, you’ll have enough time to react.

3. A minor annoyance to a motorist could be a major hazard to a motorcyclist.
Motorcyclists may change speed or adjust their position within a lane suddenly in reaction to road and traffic conditions, such as potholes, gravel…