11 Apr Motorcycle Safety
With many motorcycle owners itching to get back out on the road after a long and snowy winter, spring is the perfect time to remind everyone to be safe and aware while enjoying their motorcycle. It is common knowledge that cars have a difficult time seeing motorcyclists and judging their speed. Even with the public service ads and industry campaigns to get vehicles to pay attention and start seeing motorcycles, a recent large-scale motorcycle study found that in more than two-thirds of crashes involving a vehicle and a motorcycle, the other vehicle made no collision avoidance maneuver. This means that in over 2 out of 3 motorcycle vs. auto crashes, the other vehicle did not see the motorcycle. This statistic is eye-popping and should instill the importance of motorcycle safety.
Motorcyclist can reduce risks by attending safety and licensing classes. Skills learned during training can reduce the “killed or seriously injured” rate of riders so long as riders do not use those skills to push the limits of normal road and motorcycle safety.
Several studies around the world concluded that reflective and light-colored clothing substantially increases rider safety. While black leather is the typical clothing preferred, do sure to have a wide range of clothing that stands out.
35% of all crashes show major impact on the chin-bar area. Consider using a full-face helmet to protect against this type of injury.
This past winter wreaked havoc on the road pavement and has left dangerous potholes or temporary slabs on many of the local roadways. While these hazards may cause a blown tire or cracked muffler for a standard vehicle, they could trigger a very dangerous crash for a motorcyclist. Knowing current road conditions along your route is extremely important.
Nearly half of all motorcycle crashes occur when cars are making left-hand turns. It is safest not to pass or overtake a car near or within an intersection. It is very important to keep a careful lookout at all times. If your view of an intersection is obscured, be very cautious. Rear-end crashes are much less typical than intersectional crashes, so proceed with caution at all times.
While lane splitting is not prohibited by Missouri law, it is considered dangerous not only because of the close proximity to other vehicles but also because standard vehicle drivers do not expect it and can drift at any time. Drifting is especially prevalent with the rising use of distracted driving from cell phone usage. If a motorcyclist is injured in this type of collision, a jury may not be as sympathetic and could find the motorcyclist at fault.
Motorcycle safety is important and should be observed by all drivers, not just motorcyclist. However, at the Rana Law Group, LLC, we have represented many injured motorcyclists who were injured through no fault of their own. If you were injured, contact us today for a free consultation.
Tarun B. Rana, Esq.
Address: 655 Craig Rd, Ste 252, St. Louis, MO 63141
Phone: 314-329-7690
Facsimile: 314-735-4097
Email: tarun@ranalawgroup.com
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