How to Keep Motorcyclists Safer on the Road

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Did you know that in 2019,  roughly 1% of motorcyclists in the United States were involved in a vehicular accident? Of that segment, 5,014 lost their lives, and 103 of those deaths took place right here in Colorado.

Motorcycle accident fatalities account for 23% of all deaths on Colorado roads despite composing 3% of all vehicles on the road. By following these tips when driving a car or truck, you can help lower this number and keep motorcyclists safer when they ride. Here’s how to share the road with motorcyclists:

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

While motorcyclists prefer their bikes over larger vehicles for their small size and more nimble control, this can also make motorcycles impossible to see in blind spots. When driving, make sure you are fully aware of your surroundings, and keep on the lookout for motorcyclists who may be in your blind spot.

Keep Your Distance

Not many motorists are aware of this, but when motorcyclists slow down by downshifting or rolling off the throttle, their brake lights aren’t going to come on. Additionally, motorcycles are not as able to stop quickly on slippery pavement as cars or trucks. Because of this, it’s important to give motorcycles extra space when you are driving behind them.

Understand Signaling

Fun fact: signaling is not automatic on a motorcycle like it is on a car. Because of this, a number of motorcyclists forget to turn off their signal after making a turn. Instead of assuming their signal indicates a lane change or turn, take a few moments to make sure they’re actually going to take that action.

Dim Your Headlights

If you find yourself behind a motorcyclist at night, make sure to dim your headlights so they can see where they’re going. Motorcyclists experience significantly increased glare from headlights, which can lead to an inability to see objects in the road or stop in time.

Lower Your Volume

If you’ve ever heard a motorcycle, it may be hard to believe you may not actually hear it coming toward you on the road! However, in-car distractions like loud music or GPS directions, children, or pets can easily be louder than a motorcycle. When driving, make sure to keep your radio volume low in order to better hear vehicles surrounding you.

Sharing the road with motorcyclists is essential to safe driving. By following these tips, you can help  reduce the number of motorcycle accidents in Colorado. If you have been in a vehicular crash and need a Colorado motorcycle accident attorney, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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