Motorcycle Safety Awareness Should Be Year-Round
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) designates May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month — but safety awareness needs to be year-round. As the weather warms up after a record cold winter, motorcycle riders will return to the roads in large numbers. Unfortunately, the odds are good that many will die and more will be injured. Observing basic safety rules year-round could save many lives.
Georgia, with its warm weather and beautiful scenery, is a great state to ride motorcycles. However, in one deadly September 2013 weekend alone, four Georgia motorcyclists lost their lives in three separate accidents. Nationwide, more than 34,000 motorcyclists were killed between 2001 and 2008. During that same period, 1,222,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for motorcycle accident related injuries.
Wearing a helmet is the single most important thing a motorcycle rider can do to protect his or her life. However, the following actions can also save lives and minimize injuries:
- Never ride after drinking
- Wear protective clothing enhanced by bright colors and reflective tape
- Do not tailgate and do not speed
- Avoid riding in bad weather
- Use your signals when changing lanes
Maintaining awareness of other vehicles is critical for self-protection. Motorcycle riders should not assume that other drivers are going to follow the rules. Riding defensively can mean the difference between life and death.
Motorcycle crashes cause severe injuries and often death. To secure the damages you or those you love deserve, consult a knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney.
