By JENNIFER CIPRIANO, BSN, RN, CMSRN
Did you know that motorcyclists are about 28 times more likely than those in passenger vehicles to die in a traffic crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration?
Motorcycles pose a unique risk to riders because of these factors:
- Absence of external protection that an enclosed vehicle provides
- Lack of internal restraints such as seat belts and air bags
- Speed and acceleration capability
- Higher probability riders will be thrown in a crash
- Relative instability of a two-wheeled vehicle
Motorcycle riding and ownership has surged in recent years and with this growth, the number of fatalities and injuries has increased as well. In 2017, motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities and 17 percent of all occupant fatalities.
How can you help lower the number of injuries and fatalities?
If you are a rider:
Wear a helmet. Approximately 1,872 lives are saved by helmets each year.
- Make sure your helmet is manufactured to comply with U.S. Department of Transportation standards and that it fits properly.
- A full-face helmet provides the best protection.
Wear protective clothing.
- Wear leather or other sturdy, protective clothing that includes a jacket, pants, over-the-ankle boots and gloves.
- Dress for a crash as well as for the ride.
Be visible.
- Make sure your headlight works and ride with it on both day and night.
- Avoid riding in the blind spots of cars and trucks.
- Use reflective decals on your clothing and on your motorcycle.
- Wear bright-colored clothing and a light-colored helmet to increase your chances of being seen.
Keep safety a top priority. Be conscious of the rules of the road and follow them.
- Constantly search the road for any changing conditions while riding.
- Give other motorists space and time to respond to you.
- Be conscious of vehicles that may turn across your path, especially at intersections.
- Use your turn signals for any turns or lane changes.
- Do not ride when you are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
- Ride as if you’re invisible.
- Know your skill level and ride within it.
Know your bike. Study your owner’s manual.
- Make a habit out of doing a pre-ride check before you take your bike out.
- Get formal hands-on training and take refresher courses as needed.
- Know how to handle your bike in adverse conditions.
Here are some tips on how to share the roads with motorcyclists, if you are driving in a car:
Look out for motorcyclists. Take an extra moment to look for motorcycles, especially before lane changes and at intersections. A motorcycle’s speed is difficult to judge. Predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks and make driving decisions accordingly.
Keep a safe distance. Allow a following distance of 3 to 4 seconds or longer. Give yourself enough time to stop.
Understand lane changing. Frequent lane changes are not necessarily to be reckless, to show off or to allow you to share the lane with them. Motorcyclists often adjust lane positions for a purpose such as road debris, passing vehicles, and wind.
See the person. Consider that the person under the helmet could be your family, friend or neighbor. Share the road kindly and keep in mind the rider under the helmet wants to make it safely home just like you.
Motorcycle riding and ownership can be safe and fun. If we work together to share the road and ride and drive responsibly, we can help change injury and fatality statistics.
Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Motorcycle Safety Foundation
About the Author
Jennifer Cipriano, BSN, RN, CMSRN, is the Trauma Continuum of Care Coordinator for Lakeland Regional Health and is a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.