Prevent Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month

Cold weather has come and gone, so motorcyclists who’ve been cooped up for months are ready to get out and explore. With bikers on Georgia roadways again, motorcycle accidents are unfortunately going to rise. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2018 over 4,985 motorcyclists died due to collisions. That’s an alarming number. At Jones & Swanson, we see all too often just how serious Georgia motorcycle accidents can be. But how can we work together to prevent crashes involving motorcycles?

Both motorcyclists and drivers in passenger vehicles should be cautious and aware of their surroundings while on the road. 

As a motorcyclist, the most important tips to help avoid motorcycle accidents are:

1. Double-check your blind spots before moving over.
2. Maintain a safe distance from motorcycles, cars, trucks and other vehicles around you.
3. As a motorcyclist, stay in your lane. Weaving and driving in-between vehicles is incredibly dangerous.
4. Wear a helmet any time you’re on a motorcycle.

While motorcycles account for less than 3% of registered vehicles on the road, they are 27% more likely to end up in an accident than a passenger vehicle.

That’s a staggering fact. Even more staggering is that there are 10 times as many motorcyclists without helmets than there are who wear helmets while riding. Helmets reduce the risk of death by 37% and the risk of head injury by 69%.

If you’re driving a passenger vehicle, it’s important to be aware of those on the road around you. Sometimes, we are able to prevent accidents from happening purely by being aware of our surroundings. Since motorcycles are smaller vehicles they can be more difficult to spot. Important safety tips for watching out for motorcycle drivers include:

• Double-check your blind spots before getting over, turning, or navigating outside your current path.
• If there is a motorcycle in front of you, maintain a safe distance in case of unpredicted traffic. Provide extra space during inclement weather conditions.
• Slow down going through intersections.
• Always check to make sure your mirrors are in the proper position.

For more information and ways that drivers can help avoid car accidents, motorcycle accidents and trucking accidents, visit iDriveSafely.com.

HAVE YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW BEEN INJURED IN A CAR OR MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT? ONCE YOU HAVE ALERTED THE AUTHORITIES AND RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT, CALL JONES & SWANSON  AT (770) 427-5498 FOR HELP WITH NEXT STEPS. YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US ONLINE TO REQUEST MORE INFORMATION AND SCHEDULE A FREE CASE EVALUATION TODAY.