May Is Motorcycle Awareness Month – Get Up to Speed on Stats & Tips to Share The Road

As spring turns to summer, you’re likely to hear the road’s siren call. There’s no better time to get out on your bike than right now. As May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, it’s also an appropriate time to think about how to stay safer out there.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds every motorist to learn to Share the Road more safely with motorcyclists in our midst.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, consult with an experienced California motorcycle accident attorney.

Motorcycle Awareness: The Statistics

When it comes to traffic accidents and fatalities, motorcyclists are overrepresented in the statistics:

These statistics highlight how important it is for all motorists to be on the lookout for motorcyclists on our roads. Even a momentary lapse of attention on the part of a motorist can be deadly for a nearby motorcyclist. In the aftermath of a crash, motorcycle accident lawyers can explain the legal options available to injured riders and their families.

Share The Road

Motorcycles have a much smaller profile than other vehicles on the road, which can make them less visible. The Share the Road campaign aims to increase awareness about motorcycle safety. At Arash Law, our personal injury attorneys are committed to representing the interests of motorcycle accident victims and advocating for their rights. Being on the lookout for motorcycles on the road takes extra effort, but this action could help reduce the risk of accidents and serious injuries. When you get behind the wheel of your car, it’s important to stay alert at all times.

Get Up To Speed

Motorists and motorcyclists don’t have identical driving experiences. It is for this very reason that the NHTSA created its “Get Up to Speed on Motorcycles” campaign. This campaign is intended to help motorists better understand common behaviors exhibited by motorcyclists, while highlighting simple safety measures. Motorcycle gear is often the only layer of protection between a rider and the impact of a traffic accident.

• Research shows that other drivers are often responsible for a significant number of motorcycle accidents.
• Motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die and 5 times more likely to be injured in traffic accidents than are occupants of trucks, vans, or cars.
• Distracted driving remains a significant safety concern, as some drivers frequently engage in activities that divert their attention from the road. Car accident lawyers often use phone records as evidence of this reckless driving behavior.
• Failure to properly implement the use of a vehicle’s rearview and side-view mirrors often contributes to motorcycle accidents. Our cars have significant blind spots on every side, and failing to train safety mirrors on these areas or failing to look altogether can be deadly for motorcyclists.

Learning to recognize and account for motorcycles on the road may help prevent accidents and injuries. For those injured in crashes, lawyers for motorcycle accident cases can provide guidance on how the law may apply and what legal options might be available.

Crunching The Motorcycle Accident Numbers

In 2016, motorcyclist fatalities rose by 5 percent over the numbers in 2015. The more startling fact, however, is that motorcyclist traffic deaths accounted for a full 14 percent of traffic fatalities in 2016. Motorcyclist fatalities rose in number throughout the period from 2014 to 2016.

2019’s Share The Road Campaign

NHTSA’s Share the Road campaign is all about helping every motorist on the road become better acquainted with standard motorcycle driving practices and learn how to share the road with them more safely. When motorists make it a point to watch for motorcyclists in their midst, it can help lower the risk of injuries and fatalities.

Motorcycles, because of their smaller size and lower visibility, are at much greater risk of going unseen on our roadways and of being involved in accidents.

Furthermore, when motorists become more aware of standard motorcycle practices, such as downshifting and weaving, they become better able to anticipate bikers’ movements on the road and share the road with them safely.

Safety Tips For Motorists

The month of May is upon us, and this can be a time for motorcyclists to recommit to riding safely and for all other motorists to recommit to Sharing the Road safely. There are things every motorist can do to help keep motorcyclists on our highways and byways safer:

• Adhere to the speed limit, and slow down when necessary. Remain aware of the traffic all around you, and don’t rush through intersections or when entering the flow of traffic from a parking lot, driveway, or alley. Check and look out for motorcycles before changing lanes, making turns, and engaging in any other driving maneuver.
• When making left turns, don’t cut off motorcyclists driving toward you from the opposite direction. Many left-turn accidents happen because drivers fail to notice these smaller vehicles, so it’s important to allow them enough time to pass safely.
• Allow motorcycles space on the road. Don’t follow too closely and give three to four seconds of stopping distance between you and a motorcycle in front of you. Remember, too, that when a motorcycle is decelerating, its brake lights won’t necessarily be engaged.
• Pay close attention to the blind spots around your vehicle, and adjust and use your safety mirrors accordingly.
• Although motorcycles are much smaller than other vehicles on the road, they should still be afforded every right that other cars are, including allowing them the entire width of their lane.
• Engage your turn signal every time you intend to change lanes, make a turn, or merge into traffic.
• Remember that a motorcyclist’s turn signals may not be self-canceling, and therefore, don’t rely completely on their blinkers. Check the biker’s intentions before proceeding accordingly.
• Don’t drive while distracted, exhausted, or impaired.

Safety Tips For Motorcyclists

If you ride, it’s essential that you prioritize safety on every trip. Motorcycle riders are more exposed to surrounding traffic, so it’s important to understand and follow road safety rules to help reduce risks while riding.

• Wear protective outer gear and a safety helmet that is DOT-compliant.
• Increase your visibility by wearing brightly colored clothing and clothing with reflective tape.
• Have the appropriate licensure and training necessary in your state, and obey every traffic law.
• Use your turn signals or hand signals to let other drivers know when you intend to change lanes, make a turn, or merge into traffic.
• Don’t ride while distracted, exhausted, or impaired.
• Ride in the middle of your lane to increase your visibility to other drivers.

Tips For Safer Lane-Splitting

• The danger is increased with overall speed increases.
• Avoid lane splitting when next to larger vehicles, such as big rigs, motorhomes, buses, etc.
• The danger is increased with higher speed differentials.
• Consider the complete environment when lane splitting, including the lane’s width, the size of the vehicles surrounding you, the current roadway conditions, lighting, and weather.
• It is not considered lane splitting if you are riding on the shoulder, and doing so can be against the law in certain areas.
• Stay visible. Stay out of the blind spots of other drivers and avoid lingering between vehicles.
• Wearing bright-colored or reflective clothing and using high beams can help drivers spot you.

Motorcyclists Are At Great Risk On Our Roadways: Know The Facts

• With thousands of deaths each year, motorcyclists are significantly overrepresented in traffic accidents and fatalities.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists accounted for nearly 14 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2015, while motorcycles comprise just 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States.
• In 2015, 4,976 motorcyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes, an 8 percent jump from the 4,594 deaths in 2014, and more than 88,000 motorcyclists were hurt in motor vehicle crashes.
• Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are approximately 27 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and 5 times more likely to be injured.
• Even the smallest momentary lapse in a vehicle driver’s awareness may result in the death of an unseen motorcyclist.

In the aftermath of these accidents, attorneys representing motor accident victims can explain available legal remedies and guide injured riders or their families through the claims process.

If You’ve Been Injured In A Motorcycle Accident, Consult With Our California Personal Injury Attorneys

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, reminding all motorists to maintain safety on the road. Our personal injury attorneys at Arash Law in California aim to help accident victims understand their legal options and guide them through the claims process. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, our legal team can assist you in pursuing accountability against potentially at-fault parties. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions and address any inquiries. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.