May is for Motorcycle Safety

May is Motorcycle Safety Month, so I wanted to take some time to discuss why it is so important to remain vigilant on the road no matter what type of vehicle you drive. While most motorcyclists already know the rules of the road, a refresher could never hurt. Plus, with the statistics surrounding the state of Florida, this discussion has become a necessary one.

So why were Florida’s statistics so jarring to me?

For one, Florida does not strictly enforce wearing helmets. Florida’s motorcycle helmet law, or section 316.211 of the Florida Statutes, states that riders are required to wear a helmet unless they are over the age of 21 and have $10,000 in appropriate insurance coverage. If that is the case, they are no longer required to wear protective headgear. However, helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by 69%. This is major since the number one cause of death in motorcycle collisions is head injury, and only 40% of motorcyclists involved in a collision were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Less than half of the bikers on the road are wearing protective headgear, and an even smaller selection sport protective eyewear. In a normal collision, there is a 2 second window in which that accident can be prevented. However, without protective apparel, this time is even shorter, as a driver’s vision is impaired. This makes it difficult for them to see hazards until it is too late to avoid them.

To lighten the mood after presenting those grim statistics, I think it’s important to note that no deaths were reported during Daytona’s annual Bike Week in 2019. As one of the most well-known motorcycle events, and with over 300,000 bikers in attendance, this was amazing (and slightly surprising) to see. While safety is still an issue with this event and others like it, knowing that statistics like these are possible is encouraging.

There is also an extensive number of programs in place, especially in the state of Florida, to bring awareness to motorcycle safety and to enforce the laws designed to keep both passenger vehicles and motorcycles on the road safely. The Florida Department of Transportation has created many awareness campaigns, including Drink + Ride = Lose and SMART to teach drivers both how to operate their vehicles safely and the consequences if they fail to do so.

The most important lesson this article can teach, though, is that learning motorcycle safety benefits more than just bikers. In fact, it is probably better if motorcyclists share this with their car driving friends because 75% of motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle, and in 66% of those accidents, it is the other vehicle’s fault. Motorcycles are often hard to see on the road, and lack of attention on the parts of both parties involved is a leading cause of collisions. However, ⅔ of multiple-vehicle accidents are caused by other vehicles violating a motorcycle’s right-of-way. Drivers often claim they did not see the motorcycle on the road until it was too late, and this could be true since drivers often have less than 2 seconds to avoid a collision before the time of impact.

So what can you do?

If you drive a car, be vigilant. Do not text and drive, and ensure you are consistently keeping your eyes on the road. It is also important to position your mirrors to reduce blind spots as much as possible. While motorcyclists are usually cautious about being in a driver’s blind spot, in cases of heavy traffic, that may be impossible to avoid. As a driver, it is your job to listen for motorcycles nearby, drive defensively, and ensure that you are aware of your surroundings at all times. It could be the difference between life and death.

As a biker, it is often difficult to stay out of a driver’s blind spot, but ensure you are completely visible whenever possible. If you can look into the mirror of the car in front of you and see the driver’s face, you are perfectly positioned to be seen. However, before making a turn or crossing an intersection, make eye contact with the drivers around you to ensure they see you and are aware of your intentions. If possible, drive where traffic is sparse, and as previously mentioned, make sure you are wearing proper gear.

While these tips are useful for keeping bikers safe on the road, riding a motorcycle is still a dangerous activity. In fact, while motorcycles only make up 3% of the vehicles on the road, they make up 14% of all traffic fatalities on average in the US. In Florida, however, that percentage is even higher, with motorcycles accounting for 19% of all traffic fatalities in 2015. While there are numerous programs in place to teach drivers the rules of the road, both for motorcycles and passenger vehicles, these statistics still continue to rise. In the event of a motorcycle accident, it is important to have an attorney on your side, especially if you are not at fault, to help you get the compensation you deserve and to navigate the difficulties of the legal system with you.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, reach out to me for assistance. Click here to schedule a free consultation or to learn more about protecting yourself as a motorcyclist.