Motorcycle Safety Tips

Motorcycle enthusiasts enjoy the sense of freedom they derive from riding on the open roads — the wind in their hair, the pavement beneath their wheels, their bike speeding past other vehicles. This feeling comes with some risks, however. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 42 people lost their lives in motorcycle accidents in 2022 alone. Nationwide, there was a 9 percent increase in motorcycle deaths. You must take steps to ensure your bike is in good operating condition and follow all traffic rules when riding. The following motorcycle safety tips might help you mitigate your risks of serious injury in a motorcycle crash.

Follow These Tips to Stay Safe on Your Motorcycle

1. Check Your Bike Before You Ride

Before you take your bike out on the road, walk around and check it. As far as motorcycle safety tips go, this one should be a no-brainer.  Check the blinkers, headlights, brake lights, and taillights to confirm they work. Replace any burned-out bulbs. Check that the brakes function properly, and look at the tire treads to verify they still provide plenty of traction. If it’s time for your bike to go in for maintenance, take it to the shop before heading out.

2. Wear Appropriate Safety Gear

When you ride a motorcycle, you have little to protect you from the physical forces of an accident. Under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 7, all motorcycle operators and passengers must wear state-approved helmets while they ride. This law is meant to reduce your risk of sustaining serious head injuries if you’re thrown from your bike in a collision. Ensure your helmet meets safety standards and has a visor to protect your eyes. Wear motorcycle boots, long and heavy pants, gloves, and a motorcycle jacket to provide the best protection against road rash if thrown from your bike.

3. Follow Traffic Laws

Always follow traffic safety laws when you operate your motorcycle. Observe posted speed limits. When the roads are wet or snow-packed, drive no faster than what is safe for the conditions. Use your turn signal whenever you plan to turn or change lanes. To make yourself more visible to passing motorists, wear reflective, brightly colored gear to help yourself stand out. Don’t drive aggressively or follow too closely. Avoid lane-splitting. While traffic moving slowly might be tempting, lane-splitting is illegal in nearly every state except California, including in Massachusetts.

4. Pay Attention to Others Around You

Many motorcycle accidents occur because of inattentive drivers. To avoid becoming a victim of someone who is distracted or inattentive, always use defensive driving techniques. Scan the road ahead to watch for cars preparing to turn left onto the road ahead of you. Some accidents occur when cars pull out of parking lots or side streets in front of oncoming motorcycles, causing serious crashes and injuries. Be prepared when approaching intersections to slow or stop in case someone runs a traffic sign or light. When you’re on the highway, watch for cars merging into traffic from entrance ramps. Don’t travel in a vehicle’s blind spots. Stay far enough back that you can see their side mirrors. When you pass, do so quickly so you’re not traveling in a place you can’t be seen.

5. Never Drive Impaired

Never operate your motorcycle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Many motorcycle crashes involve substance abuse. If you’ve had a few drinks or ingested impairing substances, avoid riding until you are sober. It’s better to park and lock your motorcycle and take an Uber home than to chance it and ride impaired. Operating your motorcycle while impaired could risk your life and endanger the lives of others.

6. Know What to Do in a Motorcycle Crash

If you are involved in a crash despite following these motorcycle safety tips, you must take several steps to protect your rights and health. Immediately call the police to report your accident. If the crash is in an unsafe place, move off the road to the closest safe location to wait for the police to respond. Check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is hurt, render first aid until help arrives. See a doctor immediately after a motorcycle crash. Once the adrenaline wears off, you might discover you suffered injuries you didn’t initially notice.

Finally, consult an experienced personal injury attorney at Ellis & Associates to learn about your recovery rights if you suffered injuries because of a driver’s negligence. We offer free case evaluations and can explain the merits of your claim. Call us today at 800-MR-ELLIS or send us a message online.