In 2019, roughly 1% of motorcyclists in the United States were involved in a vehicular accident and 5,014 sadly passed away. Of those 5,000 deaths, 103 took place in Colorado, accounting for 23% of all deaths on Colorado roads despite composing 3% of all vehicles on the road. When driving a car or truck, it’s important to watch out for motorcyclists, and following the tips below can get the number of motorcyclist fatalities to zero. Read on to learn how to share the road with motorcyclists:
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Motorcyclists prefer their bikes for several reasons, including small size and more nimble control. However, due to their small size, motorcycles can be impossible to see in blind spots. Make sure you are fully aware of your surroundings while driving and keep on the lookout for motorcyclists.
Be Aware Of Motorcycle Laws
It’s important to be aware of the motorcycle laws in Utah or your local area. If you’re new in a city or state, take due diligence to research the motorcycle laws in the area. This step can help to avoid violations and protect motorcyclists and pedestrians on the road.
For instance, anyone who rides or rides on a motorcycle in California must wear a helmet. The safety helmet must meet the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and state safety standards. Hence, safety helmets must have straps to fit securely without too much movement, which could disrupt safe driving and risk the person’s facial structures during an accident.
Be Aware Of General Safety Guidelines
Safety must be every motorcyclist’s top priority. Wait until the rain stops before you drive, or postpone your trip to ensure safety. If you’re driving in bad weather is unavoidable, you must wear reflective clothes. Wear protective gear, including elbow pads and knee pads.
In addition, make sure that your motorcycle is in good condition. Check the brakes, oil, and other important parts before driving, especially long distances. Never drive when drunk or under the influence of medication, which both can cause drowsiness or lethargy.
Keep Your Distance
Motorcyclists can slow down by downshifting or rolling off the throttle, meaning their brake lights won’t come on. They also cannot stop as quickly on slippery pavement. When behind a motorcycle, make sure to give them extra space.
Understand Signaling
Did you know signaling is not automatic on a motorcycle like it is on a car? Many motorcyclists forget to turn off their signal after making a turn, so make sure they’re actually going to make that turn or lane change instead of assuming they will.
Dim Your Headlights
Motorcyclists experience significantly increased glare from headlights. If you find yourself behind a motorcyclist at night, make sure to dim your headlights so they can see where they’re going.
Don’t Drink and Drive
This isn’t just for motorcycle safety, of course, but motorcyclists can be on the receiving end of some heinous accidents due to others drinking and driving. Make sure if you drink that you always have a designated driver in place.
Extra Care in Changing Terrain
Motorcycles are not able to handle changing terrains as well as a car or truck. Construction, rocks, or other changes in a road’s composition might be easy for a passenger vehicle to handle, but they can be deadly for motorcyclists.
Keep Your Volume Down
It’s easy to think that a motorcycle is loud so you’ll automatically hear it; however, loud music, pets, and children can easily be louder than a motorcycle. When driving, make sure to keep your volume low in order to hear who is driving on the road with you.
Being aware of motorcycles around you is imperative to making roads safer, and the above tips can greatly reduce the number of motorcycle accidents in Colorado. If you have been in a vehicular crash and need a Denver motorcycle accident attorney, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
