© Juha Sompinmäki Do you ride safe? For the entire month of May, Motorcycle Safety Awareness month is dedicated to ensure your riding safety.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation®, a research-based educator and trainer for motorcyclists. This national, non-for-profit organization is actively involved in the motorcycle community, government relations, safety research, public awareness campaigns, and the preservation of technical assistance and state licensing programs.
MSF Safety Tips to Prolong Your Riding Experience:
- Get trained and licensed
- Wear protective gear -- all the gear, all the time-- including a helmet manufactured to the standards set by the DOT
- Ride unimpaired by alcohol or other drugs
- Ride within your own skill limits
- Be a lifelong learner by taking refresher rider courses
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 2,472 fatalities resulting from a motorcycle accident. This number has significantly went down since 1979- yet is still an unfortunately large number. Riders can decrease this number by riding safe, and so can the rest of the 2-passenger vehicles on the road with them.
MSF 'Quick Tips: All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles':
- "Recognize" riders, and LOOK FOR MOTORCYCLES.
- Motorcycles are CLOSER than they appear.
- Motorcycles hide in blindspots- Look again.
- Motorcycles seem like they're going fast, but don't assume that they are.
- Keep your distance. Riders downshift = No brake signals
- Keep your distance. STOP.
- Make sure the rider's turn signal is for real.
- Understand riders maneuver lanes for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off.
- Don't expect a rider to always be able to dodge out of the way.
- 'When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as a motorcycle; think of it as a person.'
- Click here for more about tips for Car & Truck drivers
Video: You Didn't See Me
If you've been in a motorcycle accident, know that you can get help; and please, ride safe.
