Riding a motorcycle comes with a number of inherent safety risks and dangers. For one, motorcycles are much smaller and more exposed than other motor vehicles on the road. Although these are aspects of a motorcycle that cannot necessarily be changed, there are many safety tips motorcyclists can take to help ensure their safety and protect themselves from a fatal accident. Furthermore, let’s explore some safety tips that all motorcyclists should adopt to stay safe on the roads.
Motorcycle Statistics
In looking at how important the issue of motorcycle safety is, let’s look at some accident statistics. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 6,218 motorcyclists were killed in 2022 alone. This amounted to approximately 15% of all traffic fatalities during that year. Additionally, it was reported that motorcyclists were about 22 times more likely to die in an accident than other vehicle occupants.
Inspect Your Motorcycle
The first thing that you should do to ensure your safety as a motorcycle driver is to inspect your motorcycle before riding. You will want to make sure that your lights are working properly, your brakes are responsive, your tires are pumped up, and your fluid and oil levels are adequate. It is a good rule of thumb to regularly inspect your motorcycle to avoid any flaws or malfunctions that could be catastrophic.
Wear Protective Gear
The next thing you should do as a motorcycle rider is to wear the proper protective gear. As previously mentioned, motorcyclists are very exposed on the roads as there is no outer covering or protection on the vehicle. Therefore, wearing protective gear is vital to one’s safety. Protective gear includes but is not limited to gloves, goggles, face shields, boots, vests, leather jackets, pants, ear plugs, and a riding suit. Although motorcyclists have different preferences when it comes to wearing protective gear as all of these pieces of gear are not necessarily required, there is one piece of gear that is non-negotiable – helmets.
Wearing a helmet is required by law in almost every state in the United States. According to the NHTSA, wearing a helmet saved more than 25,000 lives from 2002 to 2017, thus showing how impactful the use of helmets is. While wearing a helmet is a step in the right direction, wearing a helmet that meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218 is imperative. Helmets that meet this requirement will have a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) certification label on the back of the helmet. In addition, motorcyclists must make sure that their helmet fits properly, as an ill-fitting helmet will greatly diminish its benefits.
Stay Out of Blind Spots
The next thing that all motorcyclists must be weary of when riding is blind spots. Since motorcycles are much smaller in size than other vehicles, it can be very easy to miss them on the road. Furthermore, remaining visible on the road is crucial for motorcyclists. Most notably, motorcyclists should be cautious about accidentally riding in another vehicle’s blind spots, which are areas around a vehicle where a driver cannot usually see another vehicle. This is especially important for motorcycle riders as a blind spot accident has the potential to be fatal.
Stay Safe!
Following the aforementioned safety tips will help to keep you safe on the road as a motorcyclist. However, in the event that you end up injured in a motorcycle accident, there are a few important steps that you should take. First, seek medical attention if you have sustained any injuries – your health and well-being should be your number one priority. Next, if you are able, you should take pictures of the accident scene, as this will be crucial evidence in proving your case. Then, collect the personal contact information of any individuals involved in the accident, as well as those who may have witnessed the accident. Finally, you will want to contact a St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer who can help guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and ensure that you receive maximum compensation for the injuries you sustained.
