Riding a motorcycle is popular in Florida but comes with significant risks. Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer Burnett Law, P.A. knows the importance of understanding and mitigating these risks. Here are essential motorcycle safety tips to keep you safe on the road.
1. Wear Protective Gear
One of the most effective ways to protect yourself is wearing the right gear. A sturdy motorcycle helmet, gloves, boots, and a leather jacket can protect you from severe injuries in an accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), helmets saved the lives of 1,872 motorcyclists in 2017 alone.
Also, consider high-rated CE protective gear, which stands for conformité européenne. The CE mark means a manufactured good meets European Union standards for the health and safety of the public. You want to look for apparel and gear that is not just going to protect you from abrasion but also protect bones from breaking. This means you need protective body armor on the inside of your jacket, “leathers” that include pants and appropriate gloves, and boots that meet CE standards to get the most protection. Remember, cars have an outside shell; you’re only as protected as the gear you put on. A “brain bucket,” for example, is called just that because it isn’t a full-face helmet and doesn’t protect your face!
2. Follow Traffic Rules
Adhering to traffic laws is fundamental to motorcycle safety. Obey the speed limit, signal your turns, and avoid weaving in and out of traffic. These practices not only keep you safe but also ensure that other drivers can anticipate your actions.
3. Be Visible
Many accidents occur because car drivers fail to see motorcyclists. Enhance your visibility by wearing reflective, flashy, and bright clothing, using your headlights, and positioning yourself in lanes where you are most visible to other drivers. You may also need to lay into your horn more often than in a car; it is better to have honked and be alive than a driver not seeing you and you suffer an injury (or worse).
4. Avoid Lane Splitting in Florida (and Most of the US)
Drivers and motorcycle riders are likely familiar with the tendency of some riders to move between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic. This is referred to as lane splitting. There is debate as to how it should be addressed. It is banned in 49 of the 50 states, with California being the sole exception, but some motorcycle riders do it anyway. The idea of a rider going between vehicles might sound like a benefit of being on a motorcycle and completing maneuvers that will reduce wait time, but there are potential problems that can result.
The statistics as to how many people are injured or lose their lives in a motorcycle accident because of lane splitting are unclear. Even with the lack of concrete numbers, lane splitting might lead to an accident due to drivers not seeing the rider, riders cutting it too close, or drivers engaging in an altercation from road rage.
5. Stay Sober
Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs your ability to safely operate a motorcycle safely and reduces your balance, which is critical on anything with just two wheels. Always stay sober to ensure that you have complete control over your motorcycle and can react quickly to any potential hazards. The consequences for you tend to be much more severe than in a car.
6. Take a Motorcycle Riding Course
Whether you’re a new rider or have been riding for years, taking a motorcycle safety course can enhance your skills. These courses teach advanced riding techniques, emergency maneuvers, and defensive driving strategies. Often, you can get discounted insurance rates and other perks when you take a motorcycle safety foundation course, so it pays to have it under your belt. These classes are typically taught by people who have been riders for many years, and they can offer practical tips and advice to navigate distracted car drivers and other issues.
7. Perform Regular Maintenance
Performing regular maintenance is essential for motorcycle safety. Check your engine, brakes, tires, headlamps, tire pressure, brake lights, and fluid levels before every ride. Properly functioning equipment can prevent breakdowns and accidents on the road. Many bikes have high-performance tires requiring extra care; you’ll want to monitor tread depth to ensure the tires continue to “grab” the road well. Be sure to do a pre-ride check of all your equipment.
8. Watch the Weather
Weather conditions can significantly impact your riding experience. Heavy rain, snow, and strong winds are not your friends when riding. If you must ride in adverse or inclement weather, reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and be extra cautious. Also, keep in mind that if you get caught in the rain, the first part of the storm is hazardous for riders. Why? Any oil that remains on the road combined with wet pavement now makes the road slicker than usual and reduces your ability to stop quickly and smoothly. Road surfaces are a big deal when it comes to motorcycles.
9. Use Both Brakes
In an emergency, using both the front and rear brakes simultaneously can reduce your stopping distance. Practice this technique in a safe environment so that you are prepared if you need to stop quickly. A “high side” motorcycle accident occurs when the motorcycle flips over in the forward direction, and since motorcycles lack seat belts, the rider goes with it. High-side accidents are often caused by the sudden release of brake pressure or an abrupt throttle twist while cornering. While the front brakes tend to be powerful, it’s ideal to use both simultaneously to try to avoid this kind of crash. Consider also engine braking by downshifting through your gears appropriately.
10. Practice Defensive Riding
To ride defensively in active traffic means to anticipate the actions of other drivers and be prepared to react. Assume that other drivers do not see you and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
Always be aware of your surroundings. Scan the road ahead for potential hazards such as potholes, debris, or erratic drivers. Being aware of your environment allows you to anticipate and avoid dangerous situations. If you instinctively suspect a driver is impaired or not paying attention, move away from them. Better safe than sorry.
11. Avoid Riding at Night
Night riding poses additional risks due to reduced visibility. If you must ride at night, wear reflective clothing, use your high beams when appropriate, and ride at a speed that allows you to react to obstacles within your headlight’s range. Mind the end of happy hour and when the bars close for the evening, as the chances of drunk or buzzed drivers can go up during these times. Additionally, remember that you can encounter road hazards that you can’t see as well at night, and you may be more tired vs. day riding. Even the smallest obstacles can trip up your bike if you’re not vigilant.
12. Check Blind Spots
Always check your blind spots before changing lanes or making a turn. Do not rely solely on your mirrors; turn your head and look. Motorcycles are smaller and can easily be overlooked by other drivers.
13. Communicate with Other Drivers
Use hand or turn signals, horn, and headlights to communicate your intentions to other drivers and do things like change lanes. Clear communication between road users can prevent misunderstandings and potential collisions.
14. Know Your Limits
Understand your riding abilities and do not push beyond them. Whether it’s speed, road conditions, or weather, always ride within your comfort zone.
15. Stay Calm and Focused
Riding a motorcycle requires full attention and concentration. Stay calm and avoid distractions such as mobile phones or loud music that can impair your ability to react quickly to unexpected situations.
16. Ride with a Group
Riding with a group can enhance your visibility and provide support in case of an emergency. Ensure everyone in the motorcycle riding group understands the riding formation and follows safety protocols.
Carry a first aid kit and know basic first aid procedures. If you’re doing a canyon ride, it’s a good idea to let someone know you’re also out for a ride, so if something happens and you don’t return home on time, they can look for you and your riding buddy.
Get Legal Advice From a Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer After a Serious Accident
There’s a saying that there are two kinds of riders: ones that have gone down and ones that will go down.
Drivers are told to be aware of motorcycles. Riders are advised to maintain proper safety practices. Despite that, bikers are naturally more vulnerable than passenger car drivers due to the absence of extensive protection. Various forms of personal injury, including brain trauma, spinal cord damage, broken bones, lost limbs, and more, can result from motorcycle crashes. Experienced legal assistance might be needed to cover medical costs, lost income, aftercare, and other expenses.
Don’t face the aftermath of a motorcycle crash alone. A Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer can help you navigate seeking compensation for your injuries and losses. Our legal team of motorcycle accident lawyers at Burnett Law, P.A., can help you navigate the complexities of seeking compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Remember: rubber side down, shiny side up! Practice these motorcycle safety tips, and stay safe out there.