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While motorcycle accidents have been on a decline lately as safer practices and more advanced safety features become more prevalent, there are still a great deal of easily preventable accidents that occur on roadways every day. When motorcyclists are highly experienced, they may be able to reduce their chances of avoiding serious motorcycle wrecks.
Because of this knowledge, the Wisconsin state government has consistently encouraged riders to get more education and training in hopes of reducing the overall motorcycle crash rate. Officials want to be clear about senior riders and let it be known that regardless of how many years a rider may have behind the handlebars, they can still benefit from being retrained. In fact, the crash statistics reveal that an alarming number of motorcycle wrecks across the state involve senior riders.
There could be many reasons why older motorcycle riders are getting into more and more wrecks on their bikes. Some reasons include:
- Some older riders haven’t gotten on a bike for a number of years and have forgotten critical motorcycle safety tips.
- Some senior riders only ride a couple times a year, making them more of a novice rider.
- Older riders who haven’t ridden in a long time make little mistakes because they forget certain skills and the rules of the road.
- Senior riders may not have had a motorcycle license since they were young men. When they get their licenses again, they get back on the bike as if they were 20 years younger.
Due to the reasons listed above, it’s not surprising that males between 40 and 50 years old are leading the other age groups in motorcycle wrecks. As people age, they need to keep their skills sharp and continually focus on maintaining proper riding etiquette. Riders should recognize that motorcycle riding mastery is not a destination, but a journey. They are encouraged to take the necessary steps to hone their skills whenever necessary.
This is the reason the state designed courses to improve motorcyclists’ skills and help riders avoid potentially fatal motorcycle accidents. Different programs are designed that can train or retrain any rider, no matter the age. These courses include:
- Entry-level rider course, designed for new motorcyclists.
- Intermediate-level course, designed for returning riders who need to sharpen their skills.
- Advanced course, designed for experienced riders. The course is being piloted in Madison.
- Three-wheel tricycle course, designed for operators of trikes.
It is best to take a refresher course for your own safety. However, even the safest rider could be injured in a motorcycle crash due to a negligent driver. If you have been hurt in a crash that wasn’t your fault, you should talk with the skilled attorneys at Hupy & Abraham. Call us toll-free at 800-800-5678, or chat online at hupy.com to begin your free motorcycle accident consultation.
For more relevant news and articles for motorcyclists, please check out the Current News for Riders page on hupy.com.
