If you’re a motorcycle rider, you probably know how vital motorcycle safety is to your well-being. However, you probably also know that not all motorcycle riders take their safety on the road seriously.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, a month to spread awareness to motorcycle riders and other drivers about commonly overlooked motorcycle safety measures. As you gear up for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, here are a few reminders to help you stay safe on the road:
Wear Your Helmet
Wearing your helmet is the single most important way to protect yourself while riding. You should wear a protective, DOT-approved helmet every time you ride — even if you’re only traveling down the street. Be sure to secure your helmet with the straps when you put it on as well.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), helmet use has saved over 25,000 lives since 2002. In many crashes, helmet use makes the difference between experiencing fatal injuries and walking away with non-life threatening injuries.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
You should always remain on guard while riding your motorcycle. While it may be tempting to ride on autopilot and enjoy the beautiful scenery around you, taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds could result in a severe accident.
Remaining aware of your surroundings also involves limiting your distractions. This means that you should store your cell phone out of sight, avoid eating or drinking, and operate the radio at a safe volume.
Make Yourself Visible
Drivers not noticing motorcyclists is one of the primary causes of motorcycle accidents. Often, drivers of passenger vehicles are looking for other passenger vehicles coming their way, leading them to fail to register a motorcycle. As a result, making yourself as visible as possible is essential in avoiding accidents.
We recommend wearing bright, reflective clothing while you’re riding and keeping your headlights on at all times. You should also avoid remaining in drivers’ blind spots and flash your brake light a few times before stopping.
While these steps may seem overkill, they could help you avoid becoming a victim in a life-altering motorcycle crash.
Follow All Traffic Laws
Some motorcyclists think that traffic laws do not apply to them the same way they do to passenger vehicles. However, following all traffic laws is even more critical for bikers than other drivers. One wrong move could place you in the path of a dangerous accident.
For example, many riders do not realize that lane splitting is illegal in several U.S. states. Even if lane splitting is legal in your area, it could put you at risk of experiencing a motorcycle crash.
Additionally, some states prohibit riding a motorcycle without your feet on the pedals. Keeping your feet in the proper positions on your bike can allow you to maneuver your bike more carefully and remain in control through unexpected traffic changes.
Check Your Bike Before You Ride
Finally, one safety measure many bikers overlook is examining their bikes thoroughly before riding. Specifically, you should always check your tires, fluids, cables, lights, and electronics before heading out on your ride to ensure that they are working safely.
If any aspect of your bike feels wrong or uncomfortable, you should avoid riding it until you rectify the issue. Something may be amiss that you cannot see at first glance, and riding with the problem in place could put you at risk of an accident.
At Law Tigers, we take motorcycle safety awareness month very seriously. If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a motorcycle accident, we may be able to help you secure adequate compensation to move forward. Contact our motorcycle attorney team today at 1-888-863-7216 to schedule a consultation.
