Better Riding: How to avoid dangerous drivers

 Above: Don’t assume a driver has seen you just because you’ve seen them

In this episode, we’re tackling a crucial topic: driver behaviours and how they impact motorcyclists. From inattentional blindness to tailgating, we explore the risks posed by other road users and how riders can enhance their risk awareness to stay safe. Read on for a precis of the accompanying video or watch the whole thing here:

Better Riding – assessing dangerous driving behaviours

Enhance your risk awareness, positioning, and mindset

More skill equals more fun – remember that. This Better Riding series is brought to you in association with Honda Motorcycles UK – a program of self-help videos as well as written content packed full of tips, advice and simple-but-useful exercises designed to help motorcycle riders of all experiences or ability to get more from their riding. It provides expert information and practice drills that help increase rider confidence and machine control skills that supplement traditional post-test training techniques.

Mark McVeigh is our top tier professional coach who’s an ex-MotoGP engineer, a riding academy owner for over 20 years and who’s taught over 10,000 riders to be safer, smoother and more confident. You can find him at MotorbikeCoach.com.

If you see a car at a junction, just make sure they’ve seen you

What does SMIDSY mean?

SMIDSY is an acronym which stands for ‘Sorry Mate, I Didn’t See You’. One of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes is the infamous SMIDSY. Drivers often claim they didn’t see the rider, even when they were in plain sight. Mark explains this isn’t just about visibility—it’s about perception.

Key Concepts:

• Inattentional Blindness: Drivers may look directly at a rider but fail to register them because their brain filters out unexpected objects.

• Motion Camouflage: A motorcycle approaching head-on can appear stationary due to its small frontal area, making it harder for drivers to detect.

• Saccadic Masking: Our eyes move in rapid jumps (saccades), and during these movements, the brain dampens visual input—creating perceptual gaps where a motorcycle can be missed.

Tip: Use lateral movement within your lane to increase visibility and break through these perceptual blind spots. E.g. with lateral movement (side-to-side) your headlight will appear and disappear in the driver’s rearview and side mirrors alerting them to your presence.

Should I ride defensively?

Ask any experienced motorcyclist and the answer will simple be ‘yes’. Many have had advice passed to them including myself: “ride like everyone else is an idiot,” said my Dad back on the eve of my CBT.

Mark shares practical advice for riders to protect themselves:

• Ride like you’re invisible: Assume drivers haven’t seen you.

• Anticipate risk: Especially at junctions and intersections.

• Look for clues: Watch for wheel movement, creeping cars, and distracted drivers.

• Cover your brakes: Be ready to react instantly.

• Use your horn: A polite beep can alert a distracted driver without escalating tension. 

How can I protect myself from distracted drivers?

According to Road Safety GB, around 50,000 drivers use their mobile phones daily while driving. This distraction can delay reaction times by 30–50%, posing a serious risk to motorcyclists. I’ve started leaving more space between myself and the vehicle in front. You never know what distractions they’re dealing with and how it’ll affect their driving – children, radio, mobile phone, sat nav, etc. I have a family member who, despite being on a hands-free system, will subconsciously drop their speed by c.10mph when taking a call.

How should I deal with tailgating and aggressive drivers?

Tailgating is another dangerous behaviour when a following vehicle is too close causing you to be distracted. Mark says, “your pride isn’t worth a trip to the hospital,” and advises:

• Increase your following distance to the vehicle in front to reduce the need for sharp braking.

• Let aggressive drivers pass when safe. There are zero macho points on offer.

• Use your bike’s agility to create space or exit the situation. A quick twist of the throttle could increase that gap to the tailgater with ease.

Lane Drifting and Blind Spots

Drivers drifting into your lane or turning across your path can be caused by poor mirror checks or lack of awareness, so how can we avoid getting caught up?

• Avoid blind spots. It’s easy to say but if you can’t see the driver, can they see you?

• Watch front wheels for directional clues. This is really helpful especially at junctions or looking at vehicles pulling out of parking spaces.

• Anticipate lane changes, especially in slow-moving traffic. If there’s a car-sized gap in the adjacent lane you can guarantee someone will be aiming to fill it especially if it means reaching the destination 0.5 seconds quicker.

Maintain escape routes, choosing lane positions that maximise visibility, and staying alert to body language and vehicle movement. “You can’t control the cars around you, but you can control how you ride through their chaos”, says Mark.

 Why not commentate to yourself on your next ride – highlight the potential hazards and what your responses are to avoid possible danger. Or, if you have an action camera (here’s a link to our reviews of action/dash cams), record your ride and review it afterwards looking at possible areas to improve. And if you’re not sure then ask us over at BikeClub or on our private Facebook Group.

Striving to improve is part of human nature. Whether it’s a passion, a hobby, or even your profession, there’s always a drive to get better. In motorcycling, that pursuit of progress can be the difference between a good ride and a great one - or even between a close call and a safe arrival.

Spotting the oil patch, dodging the pothole, reacting to the unexpected, those moments test the skills you've practiced. And when they pay off, you know the time spent training was worth it. We all want to ride better. And riding better means riding safer.

Better Riding is supported by Honda Motorcycles UK as part of their commitment to rider safety and their goal of achieving zero traffic fatalities involving Honda mobility products by 2050.