Warning signs are yellow with black lettering or symbols and provide important information to motorists about upcoming road conditions.

You will get the greatest amount of protection from a helmet if it meets U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and state standards, fits snugly all the way around, and has no obvious defects. A helmet worn at the time of a crash should be replaced.

Avoid riding down the center of a lane under wet conditions. Instead, ride in the tire tracks left by the cars ahead of you. The left tire track will often be best, but this can vary depending on traffic and other conditions.

To ride safely at night, you should reduce your speed, use your high beam headlight when you are not riding near other vehicles, and increase your following distance. Take advantage of vehicles ahead of you to provide clues about the upcoming road. Their headlights may help to illuminate the road ahead and their taillights will bounce up and down if the vehicle is being driven over bumps on the road.

Wearing a helmet can significantly reduce a motorcyclist's chances of suffering a head or neck injury in the case of an accident. It is recommended that all motorcycle operators and passengers wear a DOT-approved helmet while riding.

The front brake is much more powerful than the rear one and provides at least 70 percent of a motorcycle's total stopping power. Use both brakes every time you slow or stop.

Alcohol is a major contributor to motorcycle crashes, particularly fatal crashes. Studies show that nearly 40 percent of all riders killed in motorcycle accidents had been drinking.

A skidding rear tire is a dangerous condition that can result in a violent crash and serious injury or death. Too much rear brake pressure can cause the rear wheel to lock. As soon as the rear wheel locks, your ability to change direction is lost. To regain control, the brake must be released.

When being passed, motorcyclists should be careful not to be hit by any part of the passing vehicle, including its mirrors. In addition to the vehicle itself, motorcyclists should be aware of wind gusts coming from the passing vehicle and potential objects being thrown by a passenger in the vehicle who may not be paying attention to the road.

For people above the legal drinking age of 21, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent is considered legally intoxicated. It is illegal and dangerous to operate a motor vehicle when intoxicated.

A small mechanical fault can have more serious consequences on a motorcycle than on a car. Conduct a thorough pre-ride inspection of your motorcycle before every ride.

Motorcycles, like any other vehicle, have blind spots. Therefore, you cannot rely only on your mirrors to know what is happening behind you. Frequent head checks should be part of your normal routine.

To reduce the danger of fatigue when riding, dress to protect yourself against tiring weather conditions, such as wind and rain. Limit yourself to no more than about six hours of riding per day and stop for a break at least once every two hours. Avoid taking artificial stimulants since you may experience extreme fatigue when they start to wear off.

If one of your tires goes flat while you are riding, you should ease off the throttle and maintain a straight course as you slow down. If you must brake, gradually apply the brake of the tire that is not flat, if you are certain of which tire that is.

When riding behind a passenger vehicle, it is usually best to ride in the center of the lane so you will be visible in the driver's rearview mirror. Most drivers check their rearview mirrors much more often than their side mirrors, so this lane position will increase your chances of being seen.

While a staggered formation is usually best for group riding, a group should switch into a single-file formation when taking curves, turning, or entering or exiting a highway.

The center of a lane can be especially hazardous when wet. When it begins to rain, avoid the center of the road by riding in the tire tracks left by cars. The left tire track is often the best option.

Because you need adequate traction to swerve safely, you should not brake and swerve at the same time. Instead, if you approach a hazard that requires you to brake and swerve, you should perform one action and then the other.

Shift down through the gears with the clutch as you slow or stop. Remain in first gear while you are stopped so you can move quickly if needed.

Because a motorcycle handles differently when under the weight of a passenger, an operator should maintain a larger space cushion when transporting another person.

You should not carry a passenger unless your motorcycle has a seat that is large enough for two riders. The motorcycle should be equipped with footrests for the passenger. Your passenger should wear the same kind of protective gear that is recommended to operators.

Adjust your mirrors so you can see the lane behind you and as much as possible of the lane next to you. When properly adjusted, a mirror may show the edge of your arm or shoulder, but it’s the road behind you and to the side of you that is most important.

A staggered formation is generally the best way for a group to maintain close ranks while also allowing each rider to maintain an adequate cushion of space. A single-file formation is preferable when taking curves, turning, or entering or exiting a highway.

To be effective, eye protection and face shields must be free of scratches; be resistant to penetration; give a clear view to either side; fasten securely; permit air to pass through; and permit enough room for eyeglasses or sunglasses to be worn underneath.

To minimize your chances of being in a crash, you should make yourself as visible as possible by wearing brightly-colored clothing when riding, even during the day.