Keep Easy Riding with Proper Motorcycle Safety
March 30, 2012
For some, riding a motorcycle is one of the most fun, thrilling ways to travel. But without taking the proper safety precautions, motorcycles can be dangerous and deadly. Motorcycles don’t offer the same protection as cars or trucks, and in the unfortunate event of an accident, motorcyclists are more likely to be seriously injured or killed than car or truck drivers and passengers. To avoid motorcycle accidents, be sure to follow these basic motorcycle safety tips.
Use the proper gear. With motorcycles, there’s not much to safeguard you from outside elements, so it’s very important to wear the right kind of protective clothing while riding. Choose a well-fitting helmet. If it doesn’t have a face shield, use high-quality goggles or safety glasses. To keep your grip on the handles nice and tight, opt for durable, non-slip gloves. Also, be sure to wear sturdy clothing and shoes, such as leather, to protect skin in the event of a skid.
Maintain your motorcycle properly. Just like regular cars, a motorcycle that isn’t kept in top form is more likely to break down, a potential hazard. For best results, make sure your lights, brakes and turn signals are in working order, keep oil and fuel at the proper levels, check and reposition mirrors, replace any frayed cables and keep the chain well lubricated.
Always wear a helmet. In case you are thrown from your bike, a proper-fitting helmet that meets federal guidelines will help protect you from incurring life-threatening head injuries.
Don’t weave in and out of traffic. Just because motorcycles can fit within the spaces between cars on a packed road doesn’t mean they should. Weaving in and out of cars, especially during heavy traffic, is dangerous and can result in a serious accident.
Don’t speed. No matter what the vehicle, speeding raises your risk of accident. Always observe the posted speed limit.
Don’t tailgate other vehicles. Keep a safe distance between you and other cars. Leave at least one car length per 10 miles per hour of speed between you and the vehicle in front of you at all times.
Maximize your visibility. Compact motorcycles can be harder to see than cars or trucks in traffic, so it’s important to your safety to stay as visible as possible. Avoid riding in other vehicles’ blind spots, use your headlights when appropriate and wear bright-colored clothing.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, the motorcycle lawyers at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience can help you get fair and full compensation for your losses. Contact us today for more details.






