Overview

Yet another Sacramento resident has died as a result of a motorcycle accident. In late September, 54-year-old Christopher Wells was riding his Harley on the Capital City Freeway when suddenly, everything went wrong. Wells was in the process of changing lanes when another driver began doing the same thing. Responding to the other driver, Wells applied his brakes, only to lose control of his motorcycle. The California Highway Patrol said Wells was wearing a helmet and abiding by the speed limit at the time of the collision. Less than two weeks later, Wells passed away as a result of the serious injuries he sustained in that late September accident.

While we may never know all of the facts that contributed to the Wells accident, we can still benefit from simply acknowledging that riding a motorcycle can be a very dangerous activity. Fortunately, recent California statistics indicate that many cyclists are beginning to exercise greater caution. The year 2009 is the first one since 1998 to show an actual decline in motorcycle fatalities. This abrupt change may make you wonder which safety precautions are keeping our cyclists safer.

Helpful Safety Tips

Here are some general safety tips that may help you enjoy riding your motorcycle for many more years to come:

• Always wear quality protective gear (like leather gloves, a good helmet and proper boots);
• Whatever your age, plan on taking new driver or refresher training classes offered by The California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Being a skilled car, truck or ATV driver doesn’t necessarily make you a skilled cyclist. Different skills must be mastered for each unique vehicle;
• Avoid purchasing one of the heavier bikes as your first one. Give yourself time to master the many different types of maneuvers required for safely riding a medium-sized motorcycle before risking your life on one of the heavier ones.
• Postpone buying or riding one of the smaller bikes known for their great speed when you first start riding a motorcycle. There’s no sense in shortening your lifespan just because you’re too impatient to first acquire the skills required for some of the more specialized bikes;
• Always ask an experienced buddy to ride his (or her) own motorcycle alongside you when you first start riding. You may need someone to give you critical pointers or summon help if you’re injured;
• Even if you’ve been riding a motorcycle for many years, respect your life enough to review online resources that can alert you to important changes in the laws affecting cyclists;
• During poor weather conditions, never assume that you can just as easily maneuver your motorcycle around town or on highways; drivers of cars and trucks are less likely to notice you in such conditions;
• Stop weaving in and out of traffic just to save a bit of time. Being 10 minutes closer to home or the office when fatally injured won’t comfort anyone who cares about you;
• Consider just using your car during rush hour or when attending major sporting or entertainment events on weekends. Nighttime weekend events attract far too many people who think nothing of mixing alcohol and driving;
• Be doubly considerate of other drivers – most other vehicles weigh a lot more than yours and can seriously hurt you upon impact.

We hope these tips will help you keep safely riding your motorcycle for many years to come. You can still enjoy the thrill of riding a motorcycle while observing the most basic safety precautions.

Demas & Rosenthal has been helping motorcycle injury victims for nearly twenty years.

Hollywood actors and movies have been glamorizing motorcycle riding for years. Many film buffs still recall Marlon Brando in “The Wild One,” Steve McQueen in “The Great Escape” and Peter Fonda in “Easy Rider.” Although such films have become a staple in the film industry, the actual real world experience of riding a “bike” is rarely as glamorous. In fact, motorcycles can be very dangerous. Even if you’re convinced you’re an excellent rider, you’ll always be vulnerable to the worst car drivers on the road who may be drunk, speeding or simply distracted and unaware of your presence. In fact, a twenty-year-old Sacramento rider recently lost his life after colliding with a woman driving a Honda Accord.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/crime/archives/019198.html

Our government’s most recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics contain a number of startling facts about motorcycle accidents. For example, during 2007, the last full year for which we have comprehensive statistics, 5,154 American motorcyclists were killed in accidents. (See the NHTSA’s Motorcycles Traffic Safety Facts Sheet; 2007 Data: DOT HS 810 990). It can be found at the following Internet URL:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.6a6eaf83cf719ad24ec86e10dba046a0/

As that 2007 Fact Sheet indicates, the number of motorcycle fatalities has more than doubled since 1997. Injuries have also come close to doubling during that same time period. All responsible drivers should be asking themselves what they can personally do to decrease these devastating statistics. Perhaps the following is the most telling statement contained in that Fact Sheet: “NHTSA estimates that helmets saved 1,784 motorcyclists’ lives in 2007 . . . 800 more [lives] could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.” (See http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.6a6eaf83cf719ad24ec86e10dba046a0/ ).

Since wearing helmets is a key component to making motorcycle riding safer, it’s time to once again debate whether comprehensive legislation should be passed making it mandatory for all motorcyclists to wear helmets.

General Tips for Safeguarding the Lives of Motorcycle Riders

• Never ride any motorcycle without knowing if it has been fully serviced recently Check the tire treads and be sure the gears and brakes are in good working order.
• Only purchase the size of bike you need and be sure you can lift it up should it fall to the ground.
  Never make even short trips on your bike without wearing a helmet. It doesn’t matter how far you’re planning to travel – injuries or death can always occur.
• With more than four million registered motorcycles in the United States, it’s in everyone’s best interests to try and help their riders remain safe. If you’re driving a car or other large vehicle, remember that it’s your duty to share the road. If you want to ride a motorcycle, don’t be lazy – obtain the proper training and licensing.
  Our government estimates that nearly one-third of all motorcycle accidents involve poorly trained or improperly licensed drivers.
  http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/motosafety.html
• Invest in the leather or other heavy fabric garments and boots that are likely to minimize your injuries if you do have an accident. Only ride a bike that makes it possible for you to rest both feet on the ground when you stop.
• Follow all of the laws of the road. Remember that motorcycles don’t have the same balance and center of gravity that cars have — carefully slow down when making turns.
• Limit your travels when the road surfaces are wet or slick. Avoid riding on gravel surfaces.
• If you’re going to take along a passenger, be sure your bike has a back seat and pegs for your friend’s feet to rest upon.
• If you’re driving a car, remember to always try to keep All vehicles in view. An accident between a car and a motorcycle can sometimes be as deadly as one between two larger vehicles. Of course, it’s always more courteous to share the road, regardless of what the other person is driving.

Those who keep all of the suggestions listed above in mind while driving, should be able to help minimize the dangers we all face out on this country’s roads and highways.