The statistics for motorcycle accident fatalities are staggering. In 2008, deaths nationwide reached 5,290 in 2008—14% of total crash fatalities. Orange County is an especially dangerous place to ride according to a 2007 Orange County Register report based on a study by the California Highway Patrol. It stated that there were 980 accidents in Orange County alone which ended up in 24 deaths. In addition, there were 3,472 accidents in LA County and 714 in Riverside County. Of course, these statistics will not deter motorcycle enthusiasts in Southern California who like to take advantage of the sunny weather and beautiful scenery and they should not. After all, there are numerous safety measures that can be taken to avoid motorcycle accidents.
Firstly, it is important to be visible. Sometimes it is hard for motorists to see cyclists. You can wear bright colors or place a bright bandanna on the back of your cycle. Also, be certain that your front and rear lights operate properly and keep them on all the time. Utilize reflective strips or decals on your apparel and on your bike. While riding, be cognizant of your blind spots. This is where unexpected accidents often occur. Make sure you flash your brake lights when you decrease your speed and before you come to a stop. This prevents being rear-ended by cars and trucks. Use your horn liberally. Do not be timid about honking at a motorist to alert him or her of your presence.
In addition to wearing bright colors, wear a quality helmet. This is absolutely essential, and can save your life. Head injuries are common and can be fatal. Wearing a correctly fitted helmet can prevent them. Needless to say, wear leather or other thick protective clothing. This prevents scratches when and if you should fall. Wear such protective clothing as long sleeves and long pants.
The above paragraphs touched upon the physical aspects of motorcycle safety. There are also a number of mental strategies you can apply to prevent accidents. Be on the alert for changing conditions such as a wind in the road, construction up ahead, increasing traffic, flooding and the like. Provide yourself space and time to react to other motorists’ actions. Do not tailgate. Do not attempt to race ahead an oncoming vehicle. Keep space between you and others so you can provide other motorists reaction time as well as providing it for yourself. Position yourself in a lane where you can be seen. Although bikers do it all the time, it is not wise to ride in between lanes as you enter the motorists’ blind spots. Also, be on the lookout for turning vehicles because you might not be able to get out of the way if you did not observe the time and space safety tip. Always use your directionals and even your hands and arm to signal your next move. Practice defensive cycling—never trust the other guy. Finally, as with regular driving, avoid drinking and riding. This will impair your judgment and reaction time. You must be particularly alert when riding a motorcycle.
If you are a motorcycle enthusiast, you can always attend formal training courses to learn more about motorcycle safety. Another bit of advice is to practice before heading into heavy traffic. Just as you drove in a parking lot when learning how to drive, ride on traffic-free streets before heading for the freeways. Also, get the feel for riding on wet streets, sandy roads, in windy conditions and mountain roads.
Practicing motorcycle safety tips may not always prevent accidents. If you or a loved one happen to get into an accident, you can call Ledger and Associates, and we can help you. We specialize in motorcycle accidents and have a lot of experience behind us. Call 1-800-300-0001 for your free consultation.
