As the weather gets nicer more motorcyclists will be out on the road.
As May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, Valerie Puma with AAA of Western and Central New York told Finger Lakes News Radio that drivers and bikers alike are responsible for safety on the road.
“Motorcyclists do need to be aware of the preventative measures they can take to keep themselves safe but they also need to make sure they’re being seen,” said Puma, “and drivers need to make sure they’re aware of their surroundings, that they’re not driving distracted, and they’re taking that extra second to look in their blind spot again… just making sure you’re aware of your surroundings is going to keep yourself and other people on the road as safe as possible.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 6,218 were killed in crashes in 2022, representing the highest number since 1975. That number represents a 5% increase over 2021’s 5,932 deaths.
Over the last decade, the number of on-road motorcycles registered in the country has increased to 8.8 million in 2023, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
AAA offers the following trips for drivers and bikers:
As a driver:
- Check mirrors and blind spots for motorcyclists before entering or leaving lanes of traffic and at intersections. Most multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes occur when drivers simply didn’t see the motorcyclist.
- Signal before changing lanes or merging with traffic. Even when signaling, allow enough time to determine a motorcyclist’s intention before you proceed.
- Increase following distance behind motorcycles and provide time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
- Never try to share a lane with motorcycles – they have the same right to lanes as any other vehicle.
As a motorcyclist:
- Before you ride, check tire pressure and tread depth. Make sure brakes, headlights, and signal indicators are in working order.
- Make sure any cargo is secure/balanced, adjust suspension and tire pressure to accommodate extra weight.
- Always ride with a helmet that meets the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard – look for the “DOT” symbol on the back. Helmets save lives and are required in New York State.
- Wear other protective gear, such as gloves, a jacket, and pants.
- Make yourself visible. Keep your lights on, wear bright colors and use reflective tape, even during the daytime. Position yourself in the lane where drivers can see you.
- Follow traffic laws, always use turn signals, and combine hand signals with turn signals when you can to make your intentions even more clear.
- Never ride impaired – 28 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes in 2022 involved alcohol, according to NHTSA.
Puma added that, while April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the increase in pedestrians and others using the roadways as nice weather increases means drivers always need to pay attention to the road, not their phones.
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