Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, 2019

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Motorcycle riders are 38 times more likely to be killed in a crash than automobile occupants. In Pennsylvania, there were 3,053 people injured in motorcycle crashes in 2017, and 185 riders were killed.

As the weather warms up, more and more motorcycles will be on the roads. Now is the perfect time to be reminded about motorcycle safety.

For drivers

When you’re sharing the road with a motorcycle rider, there’s no room for carelessness. A momentary mistake or distraction on your part can spell devastation for someone on a bike in the lane next to you. What might result in a scratch or a fender-bender in an accident with another automobile could be a deadly collision when the other vehicle is a motorcycle. Simply follow the rules of the road, and keep these tips in mind:

Give motorcycles extra space and increase your following distance.

Check your blind spots – motorcycles are smaller and more easily missed than other, larger vehicles, so be sure to check your left, right, and rear-view mirrors carefully.

For riders

Pennsylvania has FREE safety training courses for new, beginning, and experienced motorcycle riders. Check out the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program to find an upcoming course near you.

If you’re a NEW rider or looking to get your first bike, check out this guide on choosing the right bike for you.

Whether you’re a new rider or have been riding for decades, always wear a helmet. And encourage all of your friends and family members who ride to wear a helmet, too. If you’re an older, more experienced rider, all the more reason to set a good example for the younger or less experienced ones. The bottom line: helmets save lives, and there’s no good reason not to wear one.

If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, the right lawyer can make sure you receive proper compensation for your medical bills, missed time from work, and other losses.