Perform safety checks before every motorcycle ride. Test your brake controls individually to make sure each one activates the brake lights.

There is no single lane position that is always best and no single lane position that should always be avoided. A responsible rider adjusts their position as conditions change.

To avoid becoming fatigued when riding your motorcycle on a long trip, limit how much time is spent riding each day and take frequent rest breaks. Avoid the use of artificial stimulants because you may experience extreme fatigue when they start to wear off.

Use both brakes every time you slow or stop. It is important to be able to brake quickly by using both brakes.

There is no single lane position that is always best and no single lane position that should always be avoided. Adjust your lane position as circumstances warrant.

Loads should be kept over, or in front of, the rear axle. Only experienced riders should carry loads on their motorcycle.

It is not advisable to ride beside passenger vehicles or trucks. Doing so may place you in another vehicle's blind spot and the driver could move into your lane without realizing you are there.

All riders and passengers are required to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.

When riding in a group, use your mirrors to keep an eye on the riders behind you and to confirm that the group is staying together.

If you approach an emergency vehicle, tow truck, or roadside assistance vehicle that is stopped with its lights flashing, you must change lanes to allow the vehicle extra space and proceed with caution. Always slow down and be prepared to stop when you approach an emergency scene.

In general, a staggered formation is the best way for a group of riders to maintain close ranks while allowing adequate space cushions for each rider. A single-file formation is best when taking curves, turning, entering a highway, or exiting a highway.

Ride with extreme caution when approaching an intersection. Cover the clutch and both brakes to reduce your reaction time, if needed.

Experienced riders use a SEE strategy while riding to make safe judgements. "SEE" stands for Search, Evaluate, and Execute.

To reduce your chances of being involved in a collision, always allow yourself an adequate cushion of space. Maintain your space cushion when following another vehicle, being followed by another vehicle, passing, being passed, or lane sharing.

When turning, look through the turn to where you want to go. Turn only your head, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with the horizon. Turning your shoulders may cause you to steer off course.

If you approach an intersection that is not marked with signs or traffic lights at the same time as another driver, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.

You should always wear a sturdy jacket with long sleeves when riding a motorcycle, even if the weather is warm.

If you are passing a row of parked vehicles to your right and there is no oncoming traffic to your left, you should ride in the left portion of your lane. This will help you avoid hazards, such as car doors that are opening and pedestrians who are stepping out from between vehicles. If there is oncoming traffic, it is best to remain in the center portion of your lane to maximize the amount of space around you.

You should never rely on eye contact as an assurance that a driver has seen you. It is not uncommon for a driver to look directly at a motorcyclist and still fail to actually notice them.

As you approach an intersection, select a lane position that will make you the most visible to other drivers and cover the clutch and both brakes to reduce your reaction time. Reduce your speed when approaching an intersection. Avoid changing your speed or position radically as doing so may cause surrounding drivers to misinterpret your intentions.

While the center strip of the road can be oily, it usually provides enough traction for safe riding, unless it is raining. The oily strip is usually no more than two feet wide, so motorcyclists can generally ride on either side of the strip and still be in the center portion of the lane.

Many drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, can impair your ability to ride safely. Some medications become even more dangerous when combined with alcohol.

Georgia law requires riders to wear U.S. Department of Transportation-compliant helmets every time they ride. A helmet is a rider's best defense against head and neck injuries in the event of an accident.

Most collisions between motorcycles and automobiles take place at intersections. The most common cause of these accidents is the automobile operator failing to properly yield the right-of-way to the motorcyclist.

Taking a turn or curve too fast may cause a rider to lose control of their motorcycle. The motorcycle may cross into another lane of traffic or careen off the road.

If a motorcycle does not have a windshield, operators and passengers are required by law to wear goggles, glasses with impact-resistant lenses, or helmets with face shields. A full-face helmet can provide a rider with the best protection, even if their motorcycle has a windshield.

Alcohol reaches the brain and begins affecting the drinker's riding abilities within minutes of being consumed. Operating any motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol is illegal and dangerous.

A flat front tire is especially dangerous because it interferes with your ability to steer, which is essential to keeping your balance. If steering begins to feel heavy, it is possible that you have a flat front tire.

In Virginia, a person with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher is considered intoxicated. Any intoxicated person is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle.

Taking a turn too fast may cause a rider to cross into another lane of traffic, or even leave the road entirely. It is important to slow down before entering a turn or curve.