The unofficial start of summer is just a few days away with Memorial Day.
All predictions indicate there will be a large increase in traffic this weekend, and more vehicles means there are greater chances for accidents. That’s why it’s important for all motorists to be careful, especially when they are riding or sharing the road with motorcyclists, and while that message always is important, it gets special attention each May, which is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
In West Virginia, reports show 39 motorcycle fatalities were recorded in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that since Jan. 1, 2020, there have been 4,826 motorcycle-related traffic crashes that have resulted in 236 deaths and 3,075 injuries suspected.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, meanwhile, reported there were 2,714 motorcycle crashes that resulted in 164 deaths in 2018, the last year statistics were available. Drivers accounted for 153 of those deaths.
Motorcycle drivers need to remember to be extra careful on the road, but all drivers need to remember to safely share the road with motorcycles and to be extra alert when driving to help keep motorcyclists safe. Motorcyclists are reminded to make themselves visible to other motorists in case other drivers are not looking out for motorcycle riders.
Motorcycles are some of the smallest vehicles on the road, and can be hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot.
Drivers need to make visual checks for motorcycles often by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.
Motorcyclists have to follow the rules of the roadway, be alert to other drivers and always wear a helmet and other protective gear.
They are much more vulnerable than passenger-vehicle occupants in the event of a crash. The patrol reported only 41 percent of motorcyclists in crashes last year were wearing a helmet.
Drivers of cars or trucks need to allow more following distance, three or four seconds, when behind a motorcycle, so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.
Riders also need to follow basic safety measures, and that includes at least one motorcycle safety course for novices.
Drinking alcohol and driving any vehicle has serious consequences, whether behind the handlebars or behind the wheel.
And, while proper safety precautions should always be followed, the weekends and early evening hours carry the greatest risks for motorcyclists — the patrol reports that since Jan. 1, 2020, 1,044 motorcycle crashes were reported on Saturdays and 846 were reported on Sundays. The numbers also show that 53 percent of all crashes happened between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Let’s all practice safe driving this biking season.
May 27, 2021 at 11:18AM
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