Signs informing road users of road regulations, such as speed limits, are normally rectangular and colored white with black lettering or symbols. Riders must follow the rules posted on these regulatory signs.

Give plenty of room to vehicles merging onto a highway from an entrance ramp. Merge into a lane farther away from the entrance ramp, if necessary. If it is not possible to change lanes, adjust your speed to allow room for the vehicle to safely enter the highway.

To reduce the risk of a crash, you should always ensure that you are visible to others. Communicate your intentions through proper use of your signals, brake light, and lane position. Maintain a space cushion around your motorcycle and consistently scan the road ahead of, behind, and next to your vehicle. Always be ready to avoid an unexpected hazard.

Leather garments can provide the greatest level of protection to motorcyclists. It is important to wear clothing that covers your legs and arms entirely when riding a motorcycle.

Slow to a safe speed before beginning a turn and lean in the direction of the turn. Don't drag your feet on the roadway, as you could lose control if they catch on something. Always scan the roadway for other traffic.

For your protection, you should always wear a long-sleeved jacket made of appropriate material when riding. This is true even in warm weather because wearing a jacket is important to help prevent dehydration. You should also always wear long pants, and tuck in the laces of your footwear to prevent them from catching on the motorcycle.

To increase your chances of being seen at an intersection, use your headlight and ride in a lane position that creates the best view of oncoming traffic. Maintain a space cushion around your motorcycle that allows you to take evasive action.

As little as one drink can have a significant effect on the abilities that you need for safe riding. You can be impaired even if you are well below the legal blood alcohol limit. No amount of alcohol is safe to consume before riding.

It is dangerous to ride directly alongside a vehicle in another lane because you may be in the vehicle's blind spot and the driver will have no way of knowing you are there. It can also be dangerous because the vehicle may block your path of escape if another hazard arises.

Instead of mechanical turn signals, operators may use hand signals to indicate turns or stops. If an operator's left arm is extended straight out to the left, it means the operator plans to turn left or change lanes to the left.

In South Carolina, passengers under the age of 21 must wear a helmet and eye protection, though it is recommended that all motorcycle riders wear helmets and eye protection. Passengers should avoid wearing loose clothing that might catch on the motorcycle and should always lean with the operator when turning. Passengers should never be allowed to ride sidesaddle.

The shortest and safest stops are achieved by using both the front and rear brakes in a smooth and progressive manner, without skidding either tire.

When being passed, it is generally safest to ride in the center portion of your lane. Riding on the side nearest the passing vehicle increases the risk of colliding with them. Riding on the side farthest from the passing vehicle is also dangerous, as it could tempt the driver to re-enter your lane before it is safe to do so.

The weaving motion that occurs when a motorcycle rides over rain grooves or bridge gratings is generally not dangerous. If you experience weaving when riding over one of these surfaces, simply relax and proceed straight across the grooves or gratings at a steady speed. Trying to compensate for the weaving motion by zigzagging is more dangerous than riding straight.

The accelerator of a motorcycle is located by the right handgrip and is controlled with the right hand.

To make yourself visible to other road users, you should wear brightly-colored clothing with reflective materials, use your headlight at all times, and use your signals and brake light properly.

High-quality rain suits designed for motorcycle riding will resist tearing and ballooning when a rider travels at high speeds.

As little as one alcoholic drink can significantly affect the skills that are needed for safe riding. The only way to remove the alcohol content of a drink from your body is to allow your body time to eliminate it.

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.

If the front tire of a motorcycle fails, it will cause the steering to feel heavy. If your steering feels heavy, immediately exit the road and inspect your tires.

Maintaining a cushion of space between your motorcycle and other vehicles on the road will give you a clearer view of any emerging hazards, more time to react to hazards, and more space to maneuver around them.

Of the crashes involving both a motorcycle and a car, more than half are caused by the driver failing to properly yield right-of-way to the rider.

To turn, a motorcycle must lean. To make the motorcycle lean, press on the handgrip in the direction of the turn.

A plastic, shatter-resistant face shield can provide protection for your entire face in the event of a crash. Goggles can protect your eyes, but not the rest of your face. A face shield also provides routine protection from dirt, dust, insects, rain, and pebbles.

Leather jackets and pants provide the greatest level of protection when riding.