![]() ![]() ![]() When a 16-year-old earns a new driver’s license, the test needs to include a section on motorcycle safety. To reduce the number of motorcycle accidents and fatalities, we have to rethink the way we educate drivers of cars. Safety and awareness advocates are doing everything right, with the exception of educating drivers of cars (beyond two questions on the driver license exam), who remain the number one cause of motorcycle accidents and fatalities. Drivers of cars do not understand the difference between driving a car and driving a motorcycle.Īha moment indeed.Motorcycle riders know what it’s like to drive a car and what the rules are for both modes of transportation.Here’s the disconnect in motorcycle safety: It was this woman who gave me the aha moment. And speeding? Motorcycles typically can ride closer to the speed limit when cars are slowed down or stopped in traffic, often seeming like speeding. It was senseless for me to try to explain to her that what appeared to be weaving to her was actually defensive driving. She also mentioned that they speed ALL THE TIME! “No wonder they get in accidents!” One woman went on and on about how motorcycle riders weave in and out of traffic, just looking for trouble. I thought they were just trying to look tough.”īy the time I arrived at my destination, I had a new motorcycle advocate. I asked what he’d rather be wearing when his bike crashed…his Dockers and a polo or leathers? “Well, I guess, leather. I’ve always been a little frightened by them. Before I got out of my car, a guy on a bike had stopped, fixed my hitch (I had the pin in wrong) and rode off with a wave and a smile. And of course, their rugged individuality.Īfter I shared this with him, he said, “Wait! Now I remember when I had to pull off the freeway because the trailer hitch was slipping. I gave him the bigger picture of the freedom and joy a bike provides its rider, as well as the tight, meaningful camaraderie of motorcycle clubs that raise millions of dollars each year for wonderful causes. I was telling Tommy that that’s a big misconception about motorcycle riders. And the way they drive!” said the early twenty-something, male driver I’ll call Tommy. “Isn’t that dangerous? Aren’t you afraid of Hell’s Angels? Those motorcycle guys scare me. Here are a few excerpts from those conversations: Drivers always asked what I did for a living and typically when I told them I worked for a motorcycle accident law firm, a conversation ensued. While waiting for my car to be repaired, I used Lyft for three weeks. I arrived at this deduction by listening to drivers of cars of all ages discuss motorcycles. But I can’t help but think we are missing a huge piece of the puzzle: drivers of cars. I have seen more safety and awareness articles, posters, and social media posts than ever in my life. By now, if you’re like me, I am tired of reading the same five or ten safety tips from a myriad of sources.ĭon’t get me wrong the safety messaging and its vast promotion across the country are a large part of what we need to push motorcycle safety to the forefront the other 11 months of the year. Motorcycle Safety and Awareness month are wrapping up. ![]()
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