May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, which means that every driver – whether they are operating a motorcycle, car, truck, or commercial vehicle – should consider the importance of sharing the road and exercising caution around each other.
By working together to drive with caution and care, we can prevent catastrophic accidents from happening as frequently as they do. The team at the law firm of Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C., is committed to safe driving around motorcycles. We hope the information included below is helpful to you and your family as well.
May Is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a new campaign entitled “Get Up to Speed on Motorcycles” for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. According to the National Safety Council, motorcycles accounted for only 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States but made up 14 percent of all traffic fatalities in one recent year.
The general idea of Motorcycle Awareness Month is to help drivers better understand the risks that motorcyclists face and how other motorists should act to help reduce those risks. NHTSA has a number of videos covering motorcycle safety topics like the importance of evaluating distances, the challenges presented by blind spots, and motorcycles not always using brakes when stopped.
Motorcycle Safety Tips for Riders
Make sure that you are riding a motorcycle you know how to use, as some bikes require far greater levels of skill than others. The National Safety Council (NSC) recommends that you invest in antilock brakes, know the rules of the road, and wear a helmet. It recommends avoiding driving in blind spots or bad weather and using turn signals for all turns and lane changes, according to EHS Today.
The NSC offers defensive driving online courses, and also recommends motorcycle safety courses for new riders and refresher courses for experienced riders. The North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program offers a Basic Rider Course (BRC) and a 3WBRC Course for beginning and re-entry riders.
Motorcycle Safety Tips for Other Drivers
The NSC recommends that drivers allow more following distance behind motorcycles, do not try to share lanes with motorcycles, and use additional caution in intersections. One of the most important things a driver can do is simply pay attention.
Distracted driving is an incredibly common cause of motorcycle crashes. Motorists should always avoid talking or text messaging while they are behind the wheel. Even a moment’s distraction can take your eyes off the road long enough to cause a severe or potentially fatal crash, especially if the collision involves a motorcycle.
How Can Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C., Help Me?
Motorcycle riders who are hurt in Shelby or a surrounding area of North Carolina should know that they are not alone. There is a legal team ready to help them seek the full compensation they are owed if they’ve been hurt in an accident.
Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C.’s legal team includes a National Board of Trial Advocacy Board Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Advocacy and two Board Certified Mediators. You can have our attorneys assess all of your legal options when you call us or contact us online to receive a consultation.
A native North Carolinian and a fourth-generation lawyer, Ralph W. Meekins literally had the desire to help those who are not able to help themselves as well as to be a practical life adviser to people in his blood.
