Posted on June 27, 2018 at 3:00 PM by Blog Committee
It’s Summer and motorcycles are on the road!
Here are some tips to keep everyone safe on the road and some sobering statistics to keep in mind the next you get behind the wheel.
4,976 motorcyclists died in motor vehicle traffic crashes and almost 90,000 were injured in the United States in 2015. The same year saw a fatality rate for motorcyclists that was 6 times that of the fatality rate for passenger car occupants. The majority of all motorcycle accidents are caused by vehicles turning left in front of a motorcycle.
Vital Tips Every Driver Should Know
- Always check your blind spots
- Be especially cautious when passing
- Motorcycles move and react more quickly than cars
- Intersections are danger zones
- Look twice before making left turns
Things to Know About Motorcycles
Sometimes you will notice motorcycle riders weaving from side to side within their lane. There is actually a very good reason to do this. For cars and trucks, running over a pothole means we get jarred or at the very worst, it affects the alignment on our vehicle. For a motorcyclist, however, missing a pothole could literally mean the difference between life and death! Take into consideration oil spots, road kill, and other types of road debris and roads can literally be an obstacle course for them.
Share the road. The best thing to do is leave as much space as possible for motorcycles. Bikers can only do so much to protect themselves, so it’s a good idea to specifically look out for them, which will ultimately result in you being a safer driver overall.
Remember that there is no such thing as a fender-bender for a motorcycle rider. Due to the nature of their vehicles, they are completely exposed. Most multi-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles cause serious or fatal injuries to the riders, so take caution and do everything in your power to prevent motorcycle accidents.
Motorcyclists take numerous precautions to keep themselves safe, so let’s do our part because they are our friends, neighbors, family members, and co-workers.
Follow these tips, share the road, and please drive safely!
Written by Ron Goodwin