Motorcycle Awareness

Are you an adrenaline junkie? Are you constantly craving that feeling of your heart racing, your blood rushing, your limbs shaking from adrenaline? It’s not for everyone. Some would rather be cozied up on the couch with a nice book. But for the junkies, motorcycles are around to satisfy that craving.

Unfortunately, though, there is a dark reality surrounding the culture of riding motorcycles. The massive, heavy vehicles on the road today–pickup and semi-trucks–increase the dangers of being on the road for motorcyclists. Bikers have the minimal protection possible–yet they are still going the 65 mph speed limit that you are going. The chances of survival following a collision with a car is heartbreaking.

These adrenaline-loving motorcycle riders are more than just that–they are friends, parents, brothers/sisters, grandparents. These people have lives full of loved ones who would miss them dearly if something were to happen to them. For this reason, it’s essential that we practice all of the safety precautions necessary to ensure safety for all drivers on the road.

Other drivers on the road are not the only obstacle motorcyclists face. Debris covering the roads also creates a major risk for an accident to occur. Rocks and gravel, tree branches, litter, and other objects that end up on the road can cause a deadly crash.

In the spring and summertime, the roads become scattered with more motorcyclists enjoying the warm weather. According to iii.org, there were 5,286 fatalities of motorcyclists in 2016. Raising awareness will help us to become safer in our driving habits.

When on the roads, use these safety tips to prevent accidents.

• Listen for motorcycles. They may be small, but they’re loud. With such slim visibility, listening for the bikes helps you become more aware of their presence.

• Double-check your blind spots when merging and switching lanes. The small size of motorcycles fits perfectly in our blind spots. That being said, motorcycles can appear very quickly. Double-checking for a motorcycle could save someone’s life.

• Never underestimate the power of using your turning signal. Indicating which direction you are turning or merging is an essential way of communicating with others on the road. Turn signals prevent collisions.

• Slow down when you are near a cyclist.

• Do not make a turn when a cyclist is coming down the road. Wait for the biker to pass to give them extra space. Doing so will decrease the risk of an accident.
• Do not tailgate a motorcycle. Motorcycles have the ability to stop much quicker than a car or truck.

Taking a few moments out of your day to make yourself aware of safety precautions has the potential to save a life. If you can, share a tidbit of information with your friends to raise awareness.

By: KayLynn P.