Motorcycle SafetyMay 2019

Startling Statistics*

In 2016:• 4,976 motorcycle riders and

passengers died in crashes.

• 1,876 of those fatalities were not wearing helmets.

• 88,000 suffered nonfatal injuries.

• In the U.S., 3% of all registered vehicles were motorcycles and accounted for .7% of all vehicles miles traveled.

• 13% of all traffic fatalities were motorcycle riders or passengers.

• Alcohol played a role in 26% of those fatalities.

• 91% of those that died were male.

Did you know….May is National Motorcycle Safety

Awareness Month.

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* Injury Facts® 2017

https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/tools-resources/injury-facts

Do , Don’t, & S.E.E.

Tips for the Rider

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• Wear a helmet.

• Wear bright, reflective, and durable clothing.

• Wear boots that cover your ankles.

• Take a motorcycle safety (new riders) or safety refresher (experienced riders) course.

• Drive defensively.

• Position yourself to be seen.

• Make good lane and position choices.

• Leave adequate time and space safety margins.

• Have at least two escape paths.

• Always use headlights, day or night.

• Know the rules of the road.

• Wear ventilated goggles, glasses or face shield to prevent fogging.

• Ride according to the weather and road conditions.

• Know proper group riding etiquette and ride staggered.

• Watch for road hazards such as potholes, manhole covers, puddles, etc.

• Use your turn and hand signals.

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Do….

Don’t….

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• Drink and drive.• Weave in traffic.• Ride on the shoulder.• Ride between lanes.• Discount the additional skill riding with a

passenger requires.• Speed.• Assume other motorists can see you.• Purchase a used helmet.• “Lay the bike down” to avoid a collision. Your

best chance of surviving a collision is to reduce your speed as much as possible pre-impact. You can do that best on two wheels, using both brakes.

• Ride faster than you can see. If you can’t see around a corner or curve in the road, slow down!

Remember to S.E.E.

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SearchEvaluateExecute Note: Be especially vigilant at intersections as studies

show it is the most likely place for a collision to occur.

Developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), S.E.E. helps riders manage the many risks they face on the road.

Search

Visually recognize anything on the road that can affect your control and safety. Be conscious of not only what’s going on in front of you, but 12 seconds ahead and 360 degrees around.

Do this by scanning your mirrors, looking side to side and doing head checks to monitor blind spots or when changing lanes.

Look for traffic control devices, road characteristics, surface conditions, and other motorists.

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Evaluate

Effectively process the visual information you are taking in. You must anticipate and be ready. Always be prepared for a worst-case scenario situation.

Evaluating is about developing effective, rapid judgement. The evaluation process must include an awareness of your own bike handling skills, knowing the capabilities and limitations of your bike and the full scope of road and traffic conditions.

Give yourself enough time and space to react.

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Execute

You must be assertive and proactive when your evaluation exposes a hazard.

A passive response is communication. You can wave your hands or honk your horn, but you are still relying on the other motorist to respond.

Take note of your speed and determine if you can adjust it. Can you stop in time or can you accelerate through it?

Determine if your positioning can be adjusted in order to steer around the hazard.

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Tips for the MotoristLook Twice

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• Motorcycles are smaller, which makes their speed and distance challenging to judge.

• Motorcycle tail lights are small. It can be difficult to see when they are activated.

• Pass with care and wait until you are several car lengths ahead of the motorcycle to return to the lane.

• Motorcycles react more quickly than cars. Predicting stopping time incorrectly can lead to a rear end collision. Don’t follow too closely.

• Motorcycles can easily be lost in blind spots. Be vigilant about checking you blind spots and using your turn signals when changing lanes.

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Look Twice

Remember, a collision that results in a dent for your vehicle may result in the death of a motorcycle rider.

Give them extra space and look twice!

Motorcycle Safety

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Tips for the Rider:

• Remember to SEE – Search, Evaluate and Execute.

• Wear proper protective gear – helmet, boots, goggles,

etc.

• Take a safety course.

• Follow the rules of the road, including the speed limit.

• Make good lane and position choices.

• Leave escape routes.

• Use your turn signals, hand signals and headlights.

• Watch for road hazards.

• Take the road and weather conditions into

consideration.

• Never drink and ride.

• Don’t ride on the shoulder, in between lanes or weave

in traffic.

www.safetyfirst.com (201)267-8900

Tips for the Motorist:

• Be aware that judging speed and distance can be difficult.

• Look for brake lights.• Pass with care.• Don’t follow too closely.• Check your blind spots and use your turn

signals.• Give them extra space and look twice!