With the return of warm weather motorcyclists are finally getting a chance to ride after a long winter. Noticeably, more motorcycles are on the road, its that time of the year to remind everyone if your on two wheels or four, lookout for motorcyclists.
May is recognized as National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, it’s a great time to be remind everyone to share the road with motorcycles, and for motorcycle enthusiasts to make yourselves visible and ride defensively.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reported 5,172 motorcycle fatalities in 2017. The fatalities accounted for 14% of all motor vehicle-related crash deaths that same year, and the numbers were more than two-times as high as they were in 1997.
Here are a few other motorcycle safety tips:
- If you must ride in poor weather conditions, make sure you have the right gear (e.g. jacket, goggles, helmet shield). Riders should drive at slower speeds in the rain, and may want to consider stopping altogether if it is heavy;
- It’s a suggestion you wear a helmet and require passengers to do so as well;
- Always obey all traffic laws and ride defensively. Motorcyclists can be particularly difficult to see, so it is critical to stay away from driver’s blind spots;
- Drivers who are not familiar with their motorcycle or its controls should avoid riding until they learn.
Ride Safe -Drive Safe, enjoy the spring and summer.
