Motorcycle Safety Tips for Riders & Drivers
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and The Dunnion Law Firm would like to remind all motorists about the importance of safely sharing the road. As experienced accident attorneys, we’ve helped many injured riders and their families – and we know just how serious motorcycle accidents can be.
Given the fact that motorcycle riders face increased risks of suffering injuries or death during traffic crashes, it becomes crucially important that both riders and drivers make safety a priority. The following tips can help you stay safe when sharing the road.
TIPS FOR RIDERS
- Take a Safety Course – If you have not done so already, look into taking a motorcycle safety course that can help you learn the basic motorcycle laws, crucial riding skills, and defensive riding. These courses can be especially beneficial for novice riders.
- Get Ready to Ride – Be fully prepared each time you ride by inspecting your bike. Check lights, turn signals, brakes, tires and fluid levels. After hitting the road after a long hiatus, you should give your motorcycle a more in-depth checkup.
- Wear Proper Protection – Because motorcyclists are incredibly vulnerable, wearing the right protective gear is important. Make sure to always ride with a DOT approved safety helmet and invest in quality gloves, pants, and jackets.
- Share the Road – Just as motorists are expected to share the road with riders, motorcyclists should also share the road with them. Be respectful of other drivers, make sure they can see you, and obey the rules of the road.
- Ride Sober – Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that many motorcycle accidents involve riders who were under the influence. Don’t become a statistic.
TIPS FOR DRIVERS
- Look Twice – Motorcycles can be easily lost in blind spots, so always be sure to stay aware and vigilant of riders. Look twice whenever making a driving decision, especially at intersections, when changing lanes, and when pulling into traffic.
- Increase Your Following Distance - Motorcycles can stop much faster than passenger vehicles and have little protecting them from rear-end accidents. As such, you should increase your following distance when behind motorcycle riders, especially when weather conditions are poor.
- Avoid Distractions – Avoiding distractions behind the wheel is important for all motorists. Taking your attention off the road – even for a second – can place riders and others on the road at risk.
Our legal team at The Dunnion Law Firm is dedicated to helping victims and families after they suffered damages in accidents caused by the negligence or recklessness of others.