With the weather warming up, more motorcycle riders are hopping on their bikes to hit the road and soak up some spring sunshine. Because motorcycle riding is a more popular activity during warm months, it’s important to always understand how to stay alert and keep those on two wheels safe.
May is considered Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, a national campaign recognized by several safety agencies, including the National Safety Council (NSC) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Whether you are a rider or a motorist, here is how you can do your part to promote safety.
First, Some Statistics
Because motorcycle riders lack physical protection around them, they are more susceptible to sustaining catastrophic or even fatal injuries when a collision does happen. Here are some motorcycle accident statistics to put the entirety of this problem into perspective:
- Motorcycles make up 3% of all registered vehicles in the U.S., yet motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities in 2017.
- A total of 5,014 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2019.
- Motorcyclists are 27 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle miles traveled.
Sharing the Road
Motorcycle safety is the responsibility of everyone on the road. Always be willing to share the road and implement the following safety tips at all times:
Safety Tips for Riders
- Always ride defensively; never assume that drivers see you.
- Wear the right protective gear.
- Follow traffic rules.
- Use your turn signals.
- When possible, avoid drivers’ blind spots.
- Ride sober.
Safety Tips for Drivers
- Never drink and drive.
- Eliminate driving distractions.
- Look in your blind spots before making lane changes.
- Reduce your speed and increase your buffer.
- Take extra precautions when going through intersections.
- Keep your volume down.
At Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley, we hope that this information helps you stay safe and keep others on the road safe, too. Additionally, if you are ever injured in a motorcycle accident, know that our tenacious legal team is standing by ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact our firm at (530) 413-0245 to speak with our legal team for free today.