May Is Motorcycle Safety Month
May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the warm weather means that many motorcycle enthusiasts across the country are getting their bikes ready for summer riding. It’s important for California motorcyclists to exercise caution while riding and keep some best practices and safety tips in mind. It’s also wise for other drivers to review the following tips to stay safe and avoid motorcycle accidents.
Wear the Right Equipment
The United States Department of Transportation (DoT) and the National Safety Council (NSC) recommends that all motorcyclists and their passengers wear DoT-approved helmets while riding. While many states do not enforce helmet laws, it’s always safer to wear appropriate safety gear on a motorcycle even if state laws allow otherwise.
Motorcycles are inherently more dangerous than other passenger vehicles because they afford riders very little protection. Motorcyclists are more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries than other motorists when involved in collisions, and riders can protect themselves by wearing appropriate safety attire.
A helmet can prevent instant death from being thrown off a motorcycle and can also mitigate head injuries. Traumatic brain injuries like concussions and penetrating wounds can leave permanent damage, so lower the risk of these things happening by wearing a helmet. Additionally, falling from a motorcycle at significant speed can cause a victim to slide across the asphalt on the road, suffering significant friction burns. This type of injury is often called “road rash” and can be tremendously damaging. Riders can mitigate the damage they sustain from road rash by wearing riding leathers and padded safety equipment.
Beware Visibility Issues
One of the biggest hazards facing motorcyclists is their lower visibility compared to typical passenger cars and trucks. A motorcycle is narrower and sits lower to the road than most vehicles, allowing them to slip through other drivers’ blind spots with ease. It’s vital for drivers to acknowledge motorcyclists on the road and stay vigilant of vehicles entering blind spots. Additionally, motorcyclists should exercise extra caution during inclement weather and while riding at nighttime. Always engage the bike’s lights, and consider wearing reflective tape on your clothing for added visibility.
Proper Signaling and Maneuvering
Most of the fatal accidents involving motorcycles happen when a motorcycle collides with a left-turning car. If the motorcyclist attempts to overtake or pass a car that is turning left or is continuing straight through an intersection from the opposite direction of the left-turning car, it creates a very dangerous situation for the motorcyclist. Drivers should always engage turn signals before executing turns. When turning left on an open green light that instructs left-turning vehicles to yield to oncoming traffic, be very careful to check for motorcycles that aren’t as large or as obvious as standard passenger vehicles.
Safe riding and skill level are important factors for staying safe while motorcycling. Newly licensed motorcyclists should exercise extreme caution during their first rides. It may be wise to avoid heavily travelled areas and highways until you gain more experience and confidence on your bike. Additionally, many motorcycles are high-performing vehicles capable of reaching and maintaining high speeds. While the temptation to cut loose and fly down the road may be significant, this is incredibly dangerous and may land you in trouble with the law.
No one can predict what may happen on the road regardless of the type of vehicle they drive. However, motorcyclists need to acknowledge that they face a much higher risk of injury and death compared to drivers of other vehicles and act accordingly. Wear the appropriate safety gear, obey the traffic laws, and exercise caution while navigating on the open road.