By Lane Triplett, Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety
Since the use of highway crack sealant/filler first began, motorcyclists have lived in fear. Warm weather causes the substance used in this process to become pliant and slick. Due to the hazards of this slickness, and the general crooked ‘snake-like’ nature of filled cracks, motorcyclists have dubbed them “Tar Snakes”. In even the slightest of corners, motorcycles can slide until their wheels make contact with pavement. This is, of course, an unnerving feeling for the rider. In a hard cornering situation, the results can be devastating for the motorcyclist. When a motorcycle in a leaning stance in a corner contacts a tar snake, it starts to lose traction which causes the motorcycle to lean even closer to the pavement. After the motorcycle crosses the sealant and makes contact with pavement, the resulting traction gain tends to stand the motorcycle upright. The force of this action can flip a motorcycle instantly.