For motorcyclists, a topic of great importance is rider safety. Over 5,000 people per year die in motorcycle accidents. If it’s possible to prevent these senseless deaths, bikers and other drivers on the road need to know how.
Here are some questions you and other drivers might be asking yourselves about motorcycle safety.
How effective are motorcycle helmets?
If you learned to ride a bicycle as a kid, you probably learned that you should always wear your helmet when riding. The same rule is true for motorcyclists. Studies have found that wearing a helmet is 37 percent effective in preventing deaths and 67 percent more effective in preventing brain injuries.
Not every state requires motorcycle riders to wear helmets, but obviously, wearing a helmet is always in the rider’s best interest. If you ever do find yourself in a motorcycle accident, you’ll be extremely thankful for the helmet protecting your brain and your life.
For some riders, the problem with helmets is that they are not the most attractive of accessories. But many helmets like Icon helmets are stylish and help show off your personality while also protecting you from any deadly injuries. These helmets are also designed to keep you comfortable and cool.
A helmet is really a no-brainer for any motorcyclist, and if you know someone who rides without one, tell them otherwise — the riding community needs more people who do that.
Is it safe to ride a motorcycle in the rain?
If you’re a rider, you might pull off to the side of the road when rain starts to fall, but you actually can continue to ride your motorcycle in the rain. But there are a few things to consider when doing this.
Make sure you’re wearing waterproof gear — if the rain is sudden, this might be hard, but check the weather forecast before you head out for a ride. This will keep you warm and comfortable, and you also want to make sure your helmet is equipped for rain, since visibility is important when riding a motorcycle.
While you’re riding, look for dry pavement and drive on that. This might seem obvious, but you still need to remind yourself of it when the rain starts falling. You’ll also want to adjust your throttle slowly and smoothly and apply your brakes early. As long as you’re cautious and careful, you’ll be able to safely ride in the rain with no problems.
What can other drivers do to prevent motorcycle fatalities?
There are many things other drivers can do to help prevent motorcycle accidents. One thing you should do when you’re behind a motorcycle driver is increase your distance from the bike, allowing the rider at least four seconds worth of space. This means when the rider passes an object, it’s at least four seconds before you pass the same object.
Drivers should also be cautious of motorcyclists who are turning or are indicating that they’re turning. A large amount of accidents occur because cars turn into motorcyclists. Make sure you know exactly where a biker is going before you start to turn his or her way.
Since most motorcycles don’t have turn signals that turn off automatically, chances are that the rider may have forgotten to turn off the signal. Also wait a minute to see where a biker is going before you start to make your move. The biker’s safety is more important than your time.
Ultimately, there are things that motorcycle riders and other drivers can do to prevent fatal accidents. If you follow these tips, you’ll be sure to help decrease accidents.