May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. In recognition of that, we’d like to give you a handy reminder on how to be safe on and around motorcycles. It takes both automobile drivers and motorcyclists to make the roads as safe as they can be. Too many fatalities and injuries involving motorcycles happen each year. We have tips for motorists and motorcyclists!
Motorcycle Safety Tips for Motorcyclists
- Be Confident, but Cautious
Learning to ride a motorcycle can be exhilarating. Make sure you practice enough to feel confident around other drivers. It takes practice. Try riding roads with lower speeds to get the hang of it and move up as you go. The highway will always be there, when you are ready.
- Never Ride While Distracted or Impaired
This one should go without stating, but too many accidents happen due to this issue. If you have issues with impaired driving, avoid one or the other. Don’t mix the two. Distracted driving comes in more forms than just using your phone. Visual distractions can take your focus off the road. Cognitive distractions can take your mind away from the task of driving. Be aware of these issues as well!
- Wear Protective and Visibility Gear
One of the biggest issues is visibility. Make sure your wearing some reflective tape, especially while driving at night. Wear helmets, jackets, pants, and protective footwear. Let your gear take some of the damage instead of your skin.
- Ride with Company You Trust
Your riding friends can help you if you are in a bind, help with visibility, and let’s face it – it just looks cool to see a pack of riders. Make sure your fellow riders know your riding style before taking off. Pick a fun destination or no destination at all, but keep your company close!
Motorcycle Safety Tips for Motorists
- Watch for Motorcycles
There’s a reason this is one of the most preached rules of the road today. Motorcycles can be hard to spot sometimes. If you are a passenger and see a motorcycle, let the driver know. They don’t have the same view you do. Be aware that a fender bender for a motorcycle is likely to be fatal. Stress the importance to younger drivers. The more aware we all are, the safer the road is for everyone.
- Check Mirrors, but Also Physically Check
Make sure your mirrors are positioned right before you hit the road. In addition to looking in mirrors, physically turn and look before changing lanes, especially in blind spots.
- Give Extra Room and Time
Be aware of motorcycles in your vicinity. When you spot one near, give them extra room and time to navigate. Slow down and drive carefully so you can be proactive instead of reactive.
- Raise Awareness
Even if you are not a rider, motorcyclists need your help! Get the word out for motorcycle safety this month and always. Sport a “Watch for Motorcycles” bumper sticker. Make friends with a rider and get the scoop on traffic safety from their point of view.
- Don’t Rush or Speed.
We know, it’s not ideal to be late, but speeding can accelerate mistakes to the point of fatality. Being on time is not worth anyone’s life.
Bottom Line
We’ve only scratched the surface of motorcycle safety. Please go forth as a driver with others on the road top of mind. Share it, as it is not yours alone but everyone’s.
For motorcyclists pondering if they need as much Liability Coverage on their motorcycle as they do on their automobile… Yes they do. There can be significant bodily injuries or damages caused by any accident, even a small one. Motorcycle policies may even include coverage for your apparel, safety equipment, and add-on options! Check with Gregg Fay Insurance to review your current policy coverage and to discuss which coverage options best meet your needs.
