MOTORCYCLE SAFETY - FIRST OF A TWO-PARTER

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Accident Lawyer)

There are over 4 million motorcycles registered in the United States. Motorcycles are popular for several reasons. They can be inexpensive to buy, get good gas mileage, and let the rider "feel" the outdoors. Motorcycle accidents lead to death in abut five out of every 100 fatal highway crashes, yet just 2% of vehicles registered in the United States are motorcycles.

The primary reason motorcycle accidents tend to lead to serious personal injury and death is that the motorcycle itself offers virtually no crash protection. By way of example, approximately 80% reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death; automobile accidents tend to lead to death about 20% of the time.

A car, truck or bus weighs more and is larger than a motorcycle. They have door beams and roofs to provide protection from rollovers or crashes. Cars and trucks have airbags to lessen the effect of a crash, and lap and shoulder belts to keep passengers from bouncing around the insides of their vehicles. Windshield wipers and washers help with visibility in bad weather - a motorcyclist riding in the rain or snow may have impaired vision.

Cars, trucks and buses have four or more tires, giving them greater stability and, because of their size, they tend to be more visible to other traffic. A motorcycle suffers in comparison when considering vehicle characteristics that directly affect the safety of passengers or the driver. What a motorcycle gives up in weight, bulk, and other crashworthiness characteristics is somewhat offset by its agility, maneuverability, ability to stop quickly, and ability to swerve quickly when necessary.

A rider should attend a motorcycle safety to learn how to safely and skillfully operate a motorcycle and avoid an accident. For more information, contact the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Intersections can be particularly hazardous, as that is where most motorcycle versus car/truck collisions take place. Motorcyclists have especially to watch for vehicles turning left in front of them.

Visibility is critical on a motorcycle; reflective gear should be worn, and reflective stickers placed on the helmet. And yes, motorcycle riders should always wear a Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) approved helmet, even in States that don't require a rider to wear a helmet.

Don't ride in next to a car's side mirror, its "blind spot." Riders have to scan ahead and anticipate other vehicles' actions. For example, cars exiting driveways may not see you. Motorcyclists must be extra careful in bad weather, on slippery surfaces - such as metal road plates - or when approaching obstacles on the roadway.

TO BE CONTINUED -- NEXT: CAUSES OF MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS