May is here, and as we all get ready for the warmer days, we must also be ready for the sizeable increase in the number of motorcycle riders who will be taking to the roadways in the coming weeks. May is Motorcycle Awareness Month and we should all take its message seriously to ensure the safety of everyone on the road, especially motorcycle riders.
For the past few months, most drivers have been used to only sharing the roads with other larger automobiles. Drivers will need to give the roads their undivided attention to ensure they are aware of the many more motorcyclists who will be out there with them.
Motorcycles are much smaller than the average car, making them significantly more difficult for drivers to see and susceptible to being totally hidden in a driver’s blind spot. To make matters worse, a lot of the time drivers are distracting themselves with other distractions making their driving a danger to everyone on the road.
The responsibility is not only on automobile drivers, but on all motorists, riders included, to drive safely this coming month and all months. Something as simple as paying attention to the road and other drivers is enough to prevent a dangerous accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 80 percent of all reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or even death, so some steps riders should take to ensure their safety include:
- Full-coverage helmets with a DOT safety sticker should always be bought new and never used
- Motorcycle safety courses should be taken by new riders
- Rules of the road should be known and extend courtesies to other drivers
- Road hazards should be noted like debris or potholes
- Motorcycle drivers should assume they are invisible to other motorists and should position themselves to ensure visibility
- Headlights on at all times and bright, and wearing reflective clothing boost visibility
Almost all accidents, especially those involving motorcyclists, are 100 percent preventable, so we must all be attentive and aware on the roads this coming summer as more and more riders take to the roads to ensure the safety of all motorists. Finally, if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident while riding a motorcycle, the experienced attorneys at the law offices of Hupy and Abraham are happy to assist. Please contact them online or call the office directly at 800-800-5678 to discuss further action.
