According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are about 28 times more likely than the occupants of passenger cars to die in an accident. This article discusses some safety tips to help motorcyclists avoid causing and being involved in accidents.
In spite of your best efforts, you may be injured in a motorcycle crash. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault, an Arkansas motorcycle accident attorney can handle your injury claim or lawsuit, leaving you free to focus on your health.
NHTSA offers the following safety tips to help prevent motorcycle accidents:
Be Properly Licensed
Having a standard automobile driver’s license does not qualify you to borrow a friend’s motorcycle and take it for a spin. You must meet the requirements for a motorcycle license.
Passing the motorcycle license endorsement assessment requires you to demonstrate your on-cycle skills and your knowledge of the rules that apply to motorcycles. It’s best to round out your skills by taking a motorcycle rider education course. The techniques you learn in the course could save your life.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Like any other skill in life, you can improve your motorcycle riding ability through practice. Particularly if you’re a relatively new rider, it takes time to get used to how a motorcycle handles and responds. Practicing away from traffic, like in a large empty parking lot, can be an effective method for getting a feel for your bike. Gradually, you will acquire the skills necessary to handle your motorcycle in city traffic, highway traffic, inclement weather, and when encountering debris and potholes on the road.
Pre-Ride Check
Check your motorcycle’s safety equipment and basic functions before every ride. This includes making sure the hand and foot brakes, headlights, taillights, and turn signals function correctly before each ride. Also, you should check your fluid levels, tire pressure, and the depth of your tire tread.
Equipment
Choosing to wear a DOT-compliant motorcycle helmet could be a life-or-death decision. Also, wearing a full-face visor or other eye protection could help you avoid an accident by blocking bugs, rain, sleet, and flying debris from hitting you in the face or eyes. You should wear brightly-colored clothing that has reflective material to increase your visibility to other drivers. Protective gear like boots, gloves, and a jacket and pants made of leather or heavy denim can help you avoid being harmed by airborne items during your ride and protect you in the event of a crash.
Skip the Alcohol and Drugs
This point is obvious. But note that even prescribed medicine or over-the-counter medications could affect your ability to ride safely.
Raising the Awareness of Other Motorists
Motorcyclists are not the only ones who can help reduce the number of accidents. People operating cars and trucks also need to understand the unique challenges motorcyclists face and take steps to help make the roads safer for people riding motorbikes. At the end of the day, drivers simply need to keep a lookout and share the road with motorcyclists. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, give us a call to learn how an Arkansas personal injury attorney can help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Contact our office for a free consultation.
