Motorcycle Safety Issues

Drivers of motorcycles are at a significantly higher risk of injury and death than car and truck drivers. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2006, 13.10 cars out of 100,000 ended up in fatal crashes, while the rate for motorcycles is 72.34 per 100,000 registered motorcycles. Additionally, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists' risk of a fatal crash is 35 times greater than a passenger car (source). Unless motorcyclists quit riding altogether, these statistics won't change unless we can do our best to promote car and motorcycle safety on the roads. Here are some things we can do to keep all vehicles safe on the roads:

• Because of its small size, a motorcycle can appear farther away than it actually is. Predict a motorcycle is closer than it appears.
• Motorcycles can easily (and accidentally) hide in blind spots, so don't just rely on your mirrors when changing lanes.
• Motorcyclists often change speed by downshifting instead of braking. Give ample room behind a motorcycle in case his speed changes unexpectedly. 
• Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping difficult. Allow more following distance for a motorcycle than you may for a car.

You can find more motorcycle safety tips here.

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Helmets prevent head injuries in 67 per cent of crashes and deaths in 29 per cent. Make sure your helmet has a sticker showing that it meets current safety standards. Avoid buying a used helmet. It may have been in a crash, and the damage may not be obvious.