Shifting your motorcycle into a lower gear causes an effect similar to applying the brakes. This is known as engine braking.

Instead of or in addition to mechanical turn signals, operators may use hand signals to indicate turns or stops. If an operator's left arm is bent at the elbow and pointing downward, it means the operator plans to slow down or stop.

The only method that effectively reduces your BAC is not drinking alcohol for a period of time. Coffee, exercise, fresh air, and cold showers cannot reduce your BAC or change the effects of alcohol. They can help you remain awake, but they cannot change your BAC or make you sober.

Shifting to a lower gear produces an effect similar to applying the brakes. This is known as engine braking.

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.

To provide adequate protection when riding, jackets and pants should cover your arms and legs completely. Your clothing should fit snugly but be loose enough to let you move freely. Leather or newer kinds of synthetic materials provide the best protection in the case of an accident.

Passengers should sit directly behind the operator and lean as the operator leans. They should sit as far forward as they can without crowding the operator, holding onto the operator's waist, hips, or belt.

To safely cross railroad tracks, trolley tracks, or pavement seams running parallel to your lane, move to a lane position that will allow you to cross them at an angle of at least 45 degrees. Then, make a quick, sharp turn. If you try to edge across, the tracks or seam could catch your tires and throw you off balance.

You should not rely on eye contact to guarantee that a driver will yield to you. It is not uncommon for a driver to look directly at a motorcyclist and still fail to actually notice them.

Perform an inspection of your motorcycle before every ride. This takes only a few minutes and helps prevent dangerous situations before entering traffic.

Most motorcycle crashes happen on short trips that are less than five miles long at speeds slower than 30 miles per hour.

If you are being chased by a dog, downshift and approach it slowly. Then, as you approach the dog, accelerate and leave it behind.

You should wear appropriate protective clothing when riding. Protective garments include sturdy pants and jackets that entirely cover your arms and legs, boots or heavy shoes that cover and support your ankles, and sturdy gloves.

Inexperienced riders should ride near the front of a group, just behind the leader, so more experienced riders can keep an eye on them from behind.

If you need to stop quickly, you should apply both brakes at the same time.

You can achieve maximum stopping power by using both the front and rear brakes. You should use both brakes every time you slow or stop.

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.

Taking a turn too fast is dangerous. If you cannot hold the turn, you may end up turning into another lane or even off of the road entirely. Use caution when taking a turn.

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.

A person who is age 21 or older with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher is considered legally intoxicated. It is illegal and dangerous to operate any motor vehicle while intoxicated.

A motorcycle requires more frequent attention than a car. Make a complete check of your motorcycle before every ride.

When riding on slippery surfaces, you should reduce your speed. Make certain to use both brakes when braking and avoid making sudden moves.

When traveling in a group, it is never recommended for motorcyclists to ride in pairs. Neither rider will have adequate room to maneuver to avoid hazards.

If your front wheel locks while braking, you should release the brake lever until the tire regains traction and re-apply the brake.

An expanded cushion of space is needed if your motorcycle will take longer than normal to stop. If the pavement is slippery, if you cannot see through the vehicle ahead of you, or if traffic is heavy and another driver may try to squeeze in front of you, open up your following distance.