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May is Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Month in Indiana
It is May and Spring is officially here. Of course, May also brings Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month. This is proclaimed by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
As with every year, this is an opportunity to make certain we are doing all that we can to be safe and responsible riders, but even more importantly, to create awareness so that others who share the roadways with us are looking out for motorcycles.
We encourage all motorcyclists to ride responsibly and respectfully. Ride free of impairment and make certain they are properly licensed to operate a motorcycle. We recommend that all riders take a formal rider education course, as studies have indicated that 90% of crash-involved riders are self-taught.
Save A Life – Be Aware – Motorcycles Are Everywhere
Jay Jackson Executive Director ABATE of Indiana, Inc. 800-232-2283 / 317-422-8040 |
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Safety Tips for Motorcyclists
Riders can improve their safety on the road by following some simple safety tips:
• Wear a U.S. DOT-approved helmet, face or eye protection and protective clothing.
• Know your motorcycle and conduct a pre-ride check.
• Be seen. Wear reflective clothing and put reflective tape on your protective riding gear and motorcycle.
• Use common sense by riding sober, obeying all speed limits and allowing enough time to react to dangerous situations.
• Practice safe riding techniques and know how to handle your motorcycle in adverse road and weather conditions. Road conditions such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces that usually pose minor annoyances to motorists are in fact major hazards for motorcyclists. Report these hazardous conditions through www.roadhazard.org.
• Consider taking a rider course www.abateonline.org
• During spring riding, be cautious of gravel buildup from winter road maintenance on the edges of roadways and near intersections. Riders can report hazardous conditions due to gravel along the road at www.roadhazard.org.
Safety Tips for Motorists
Sharing the Road with
Motorcycles
• Look out for motorcyclists – be aware that motorcycles are small and may be difficult to see. Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes and at intersections. Large vehicles can also block a motorcycle from a motorist’s view and a motorcycle can suddenly appear out of nowhere.
• Allow more following distance – leave at least four seconds when following a motorcycle.
• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic.
• Respect a motorcycle as a full-size vehicle with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway. Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width as the motorcyclist needs the room to maneuver safely in all types of road conditions.
