Each spring, new motorcycle riders hit the roads and highways with their new machines, eager to savor the freedom and unique experience that only riding a motorcycle can offer. However, motorcycling has a down side. Nearly 4,300 motorcycle riders and drivers were killed in highway accidents in 2014 (the most recent year for which statistics are available). While the number of motorcycle fatalities have steadily decreased from their high in 1998, riding a motorcycle remains a dangerous hobby.
Motorcycle safety tips
If you're new to the motorcycle world, it's important to take all of the safety steps you can to avoid becoming part of these traffic statistics. While there's no way to guarantee that you won't be in an accident, there are a number of things you can do to keep yourself and your riders safe.
1. Make helmets a must. Whether to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle is a controversial topic. Some riders claim that helmets impede their vision or hamper their enjoyment of the road. However, the truth is that helmets save lives. The National Highway Transportation Safety Association estimates that helmets saved the lives of more than 1,600 riders in 2013.
2. Stay sober. It should go without saying, but drinking (even a little) and driving a motorcycle don't mix. However, alcohol is a factor in more than 40 percent of all motorcycle accidents. Make sure that your reflexes and response time are as sharp as they can be by forgoing alcoholic drinks when you're on the road.
3. Dress for the occasion. Lightweight clothing, like shorts and a tee-shirt, are a poor match for road debris, bugs and gravel that can get thrown at you from the vehicles ahead of you. Follow the lead of veteran riders who wear heavy leather jackets and pants to add that extra barrier between you and the road.
4. Avoid inclement weather. Wet roads and poor visibility add to the inherent hazards of the road. Make riding your motorcycle something you do only on sunny, clear days. This is especially important for new riders.
5. Start small. A motorcycle that's too powerful can also be difficult to handle. It's best to start out with a less powerful bike and trade up as you get more experience riding.
While there's no way to absolutely prevent a motorcycle accident, making sure to wear a helmet, don't drive your bike after having that beer, make sure to dress for the road, and stick to sunny days for taking your bike for a ride.
For a personal injury lawyer, contact a law firm such as Richard Glazer Law Office.
Share22 April 2016
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