Republican preventive campaign "Motorcyclist!"

April 15, 2025

From April 16 to April 22, a republican preventive campaign called "Motorcyclist!" will be held on the territory of the Republic of Belarus.

During the preventive event, traffic police officers will carry out effective control over compliance by motorcyclists with the Traffic Rules and other traffic legislation on a daily basis during traffic supervision, including through mixed control.

In 2025, due to the fault of motorcyclists, 20 traffic accidents occurred, in which 5 people died and 19 were injured.

Basic safety rules for operating a moped (scooter), motorcycle!

Owners of motor vehicles underestimate the danger of this type of transport.

A scooter driver is a full participant in traffic who is obliged to know and comply with all the requirements of the Traffic Rules. To operate a scooter, a driving license of category "AM" is required, and the moped must be registered with the traffic police. To ensure safety, it is forbidden to ride a scooter without a fastened motorcycle helmet.

It should be noted that the speed of a scooter is significantly lower than that of other vehicles on the road, which means that in order not to interfere with other road users, you can ride a moped no further than 1 meter from the right edge of the roadway. At the same time, driving more than 1 meter from its right edge is allowed only for bypassing an obstacle and in permitted cases for turning left or making a U-turn. Thus, being away from the main traffic flow, the moped driver is also safer and does not interfere with anyone. This requirement must be strictly followed also because a scooter driver is much less protected from injuries in case of an accident. Like any vehicle, a scooter must be operated only in technically sound condition, without any modifications. The traffic rules also define a number of other prohibitions for moped or scooter drivers, namely:

– it is forbidden to move without holding the handlebars and/or without keeping your feet on the footrests, as in this riding position you cannot fully control the scooter's behavior and will not be able to react in time to changing road conditions;

– on a road with tram tracks, and on a road with more than one lane for traffic in the given direction, it is forbidden to turn left or make a U-turn;

– it is forbidden to carry passengers on a moped, unless the moped's design allows for it; if a designated seat is available, the passenger must be over 12 years old;

– it is forbidden to carry cargo that extends more than 0.5 meters in length or width beyond the dimensions of the vehicle, as well as cargo that interferes with the control of the vehicle;

– moped drivers are prohibited from riding on sidewalks, bicycle paths, pedestrian paths, and bridle paths.

At the same time, moped owners should remember the mandatory daytime use of low beam headlights. It is advisable to wear a high-visibility vest or clothing with reflective inserts. This will make you more visible to other road users.

10 Rules for Safe Motorcycle (Moped, Scooter) Riding

Situational Awareness. Always try to control your surroundings, regularly check your mirrors, listen to what is happening around you, and turn your head.

Speed Limit. Ride at a reasonable speed – do not exceed the flow speed by more than 15-20 km/h. In stationary traffic jams, ride slowly between lanes and be ready to stop immediately – sometimes cyclists and pedestrians, invisible behind cars, cross stationary traffic jams, car doors suddenly open, etc.

Road Conditions. Road surface – be especially careful when crossing lane markings – they are raised and slippery, especially when wet. Sand and small stones on the road can lead to a fall, and if gasoline, diesel fuel, or oil is spilled anywhere, tire grip drops as if on ice.

Equipment. Always try to ride in full protective gear — helmet, gloves, protective jacket, protective pants, protective footwear. When riding with an open visor, be wary of sand and insects getting into your eyes.

Visibility on the road. Always ride with your low beams on; in some cases, when there is no glare from oncoming traffic (e.g., on a bright sunny day), you can use high beams. An orange or yellow "road" vest worn over your motorcycle jacket, as well as brightly colored clothing and motorcycle, and reflective elements on your clothing, will not hurt.

Blind spots. Avoid staying in the same position for too long, especially if there is a possibility that you are not visible to someone in their mirrors. In doubtful situations, do not hesitate to "roar" the engine, honk, or flash your high beams to signal your presence.

Smooth control. Avoid braking and accelerating when passing through difficult, slippery areas — sand on the road, pebbles, crossing lane markings, or rails. If possible, try not to brake in a turn, cross rails at a right angle if possible, and with the motorcycle not tilted. If you see sand or other hazards in a turn, try to straighten the motorcycle before passing through it, or at least maximize the turning radius while reducing speed. Before entering a hazardous area, you should have "steady throttle" — without slowing down or accelerating.

Situation awareness. Look not only ahead but also at the overall situation. A common mistake of novice drivers, especially when driving in the city, is to look only at the car in front. As a result, when it starts to brake, it is a surprise for them, although if they had looked around, they would have seen that the entire lane of 3-4 cars ahead was slowing down, and they would have started to slow down in time and would have been ready for braking/maneuvering. Control your intervals (side clearances) and distances (distance to the vehicles ahead and behind). Do not tailgate the vehicle in front; the distance should be at least 2 seconds, and preferably 3-5 seconds.

Night Driving. Exercise extreme caution when driving at night – visibility is significantly reduced. If the road runs alongside a forest, various animals may cross or run across the highway, and you may see them too late. Reduce your speed to a safe level – ideally, you should be able to stop within a distance shorter than your visibility range. Do not forget that people in a state of severe alcohol intoxication may be on the roads, and unlit vehicles or tractors may be left on the roadside or elsewhere.

Never Rush. Never rush anywhere, except in truly extreme cases – when life or death literally depends on speed. Meetings, even extremely important ones, being late for work, etc. – they are not worth it. It is precisely due to rushing that most accidents occur. No one will die if you are 2, 3, or 5 minutes late, but ending up in a morgue due to racing is more than possible; dozens, hundreds prove this every year. Remember – your loved ones are waiting for you at home…

The possibility of preventing tragic consequences of road traffic accidents due to motorcycle operation lies solely in your hands. If you witness traffic violations by motorcycle drivers, report them immediately by calling 102.

Senior Traffic Police Inspector of the Department of Public Traffic Safety of the Internal Affairs Department of the Glubokoye District Department of Internal Affairs, Police Captain Yevgeny Andreyevich Sivytsky