Few things are more enjoyable during the summer season than riding your motorcycle and enjoying the cool breeze on your face and in your hair as you drive down the road. However, ensuring motorcycle safety is crucial because, according to statistics, motorcycle accidents are inherently more dangerous compared to traditional passenger vehicle accidents. Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 5 thousand motorcyclists died in road accidents and crashes in 2019. As such, motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to die in crashes than car occupants and 4 times more prone to be injured. Here’s what you can do to ensure summer motorcycle safety:
Always Wear Safety Gear
This is the most important step on the list. Wearing proper safety gear each time you ride a motorcycle will protect you in case of crashes or falls. The use of a good fitting helmet is crucial as it will protect not only your head and skull but also your vision and even optimize it. With the appropriate safety gear, you will have more control over your bike and environment. This will help you ensure that you and everyone else on the road are much safer.
Make sure you are properly licensed
Driving a motorcycle requires knowledge as well as special skills and is different to driving a car. Make sure to complete a motorcycle rider education course before you hit the road.
Inspect Your Bike Before Each Ride
A mechanical problem on a motorcycle while driving can significantly increase the risk of a hard-to-prevent accident or crash. So, it is important that you inspect your motorcycle before each ride to make sure that it is roadworthy and safe for the road. By doing so, you will likely prevent a potentially dangerous and unfortunate situation. Regular inspections and tune-ups of your bike will also help you prevent costly repair and maintenance requirements later on.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
When riding a motorcycle, you have to be extra attentive and vigilant about road safety. This is because you are more at risk of a serious or even fatal injury in case of an accident. So, it is highly recommended that you be aware of your surroundings. While this may seem like an obvious tip for any driver, motorcyclists especially need to perfect this practice.
Never Share Lanes
It is a common practice to share lanes as a motorcyclist. However, this can be very dangerous as doing so significantly reduces the space available you have on the pavement as well as the space available to the other driver sharing the lane with you has. Not to mention that this practice is typically a violation of traffic rules and may get you into legal and financial troubles.
Be Aware of the Driving Conditions
Hazardous weather is one of the primary causes of motorcycle accidents. Winds, snow, heavy rain, etc., all create dangerous conditions for motorcyclists. To ensure safety, it is recommended that you avoid getting on your motorcycle in difficult driving conditions, particularly if you think that your bike cannot handle it.
Hilton & Somer, LLC: Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
While these tips can help you ensure motorcycle safety this summer, accidents can still occur. If you or your loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact the experienced Attorneys at Hilton & Somer, LLC for a free consultation today. You can reach out to us through our online contact form, or by calling (703) 560-0700.
References
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-motorcycle-crashes
https://www.carcovers.com/articles/summer-motorcycle-safety-tips-advice
