Look Twice Save a Life isn’t just a saying it is important to remember especially since May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. We here at AMERiders life by that saying and hope you will too. With warmer weather, it’s time to remind everyone to be on the alert and to share the road with motorcyclists. Riders who have been cooped up all winter are excited to be out on the road again, but that shouldn’t stop them from using caution.
Both motorcyclists and motorists need to be aware of their surroundings. Checking blind spots, mirrors and using turn signals are necessary when changing lanes and when passing.
Distracted driving has been on the rise, too. Distractions during driving could mean the difference between seeing a motorcyclist or not when preparing to change lanes. Don’t let one text change anyone’s life forever!
Riders need to take precautions as well. Take a defensive driving course, wear protective gear and keep your bike in its best working condition. Also, be aware of any road hazards and dangerous weather conditions.
Motorcyclists have the same rights and privileges as any other motor vehicle operator on our roads. Our three major campaigns include:
- Motorist Awareness of Motorcycles, focusing on helping motorists understand standard motorcycle driving behaviors and to learn how to drive safely around motorcycles on our roadways.
- Rider Safety, focusing on the ways that motorcyclists can increase their riding safety.
- Share the Road, focusing on promoting motorcyclist awareness and safety to both motorcycle riders and motor vehicle drivers.
We as motorcyclists are much more vulnerable to crashes than other drivers. In 2007, the mileage death rate for motorcyclists in 2007 was 37 times greater than for passenger car occupants. Motorcycle safety also is an issue of increasing concern – fatalities involving drivers and motorcyclists increased 131 percent between 1998 and 2008, according to NSC.
Throughout Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, NSC encourages motorists to share the road with motorcyclists and be extra alert when they are nearby. NSC’s tips include:
1. Passenger car drivers must allow greater following distance behind a motorcycle.
2. Drivers also must show extra caution in intersections. Most crashes occur when a driver fails to see a motorcyclist and turns left in front of a motorcycle.
3. Drivers should never try to share a lane with a motorcycle. Always give a motorcycle the full lane width.
4. Motorcyclists should avoid riding in poor weather conditions.
5. Motorcyclists should position their motorcycles to avoid a driver’s blind spot.
6. Motorcyclists must use turn signals for every turn or lane change.
AMERiders wants to encourage all of our readers to pass along this information plus encourage all our fellow riders and cagers to…
Most of all, everyone please enjoy your ride and make it home again!
~And as always…
~Live Free Ride Hard~
~AMERiders
and
AMERiders encourages you to Look Twice Save a Life May is Motorcycle Awareness Month.
Don’t forget to come visit us for all your Motorcycle Apparel needs.
And as always don’t forget to send us your stories, pictures, and events for posting to GALLERY.AMERIDERS @ GMAIL.COM and we will post them for you. The more people that know about your event the better and we are offering free advertising. We would also love to hear about your rides and love to see those bikes so send those stories and pictures.
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Great piece on motorcycle safety and how motorists and motorcyclists can be more cautious. Far too many fatalities still in motorbike accidents each year!