The month of May is not only the time of year when more motorcycles start taking to the roads; it also happens to be National Motorcycle Safety Awareness month. As part of this awareness month, the United States Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched a new motorcycle safety initiative targeting motorists. The mission of the “Get Up to Speed on Motorcycles” campaign is for drivers to gain insights into motorcycle driving behaviors and to help motorists learn how to drive safely navigate around motorcycles.
Due to the very design of a motorcycle, riders are much more susceptible to injury and death in the event of a crash. The rider has only his or her gear to protect them from harm, which means even a fender bender could be fatal for a rider. Motorcycles are also more likely to be involved in a crash due to their small size, which makes them more difficult for motorists to see. In 2015, riders made up 14% of all traffic deaths but only 3% of registered vehicles. It is estimated that per mile traveled, riders are 27 times more likely than motorists to die in a crash. Motorcycle deaths are up. In 2015, there were 4,976 motorcyclists killed in crashes, which was up 8% from 2014, where 4,594 were killed.
People who ride motorcycles often receive a bad rap. There is an assumption that people who ride motorcycles are risk takers, and that is the reason for their higher rate of accidents. But that is not true. Many accidents are caused because motorists do not know how to share the road with motorcycles. Therefore, it is important for motorists to step up their game to save lives. Here are four important safety tips every motorist should know so they can be up to speed on motorcycle awareness:
- Go slow! Speed is a major factor in accidents, including those involving motorcycles. Motorists can help by reducing their speed when approaching an intersection or entering the road. Being “aware” means taking that extra moment to look for an approaching motorcycle.
- Be cautious when making left turns. Intersections are prime places for accidents and also very dangerous places for motorcycles. A top cause of motorcycle crashes occurs when a car turning left at an intersection does not see an oncoming motorcycle or misjudges the speed at which the motorcycle is traveling. Motorists should always be on the lookout for motorcycles at intersections. If a motorist is unsure as to if he or she will have adequate time to turn, it is best to wait.
- Give riders some space. As a general rule, motorists should always leave a cushion of space between them and the vehicle in front of them. You never want to follow another vehicle behind too closely in case that vehicle needs to make a sudden stop. The same advice is true when following behind a motorcycle. Remember, the brake lights on a motorcycle do not always engage when a rider is decreasing his or her speed.
- Always check your blind spots. Before changing lanes, take the time to check your blind spots. Motorcycles, due to their smaller size, can be more difficult for a motorist to spot. So always look first and then check again before changing lanes.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, the seasoned Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our experienced team of Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys will make sure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. Trust our team of Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys to help you as they have helped countless motorcycle injury victims around the area, in both Kansas and Missouri. To schedule a consultation with one of our skilled injury attorneys, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673.