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Based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2016 fatal crash data, motorcyclist deaths occurred 28 times more frequently than fatalities in other vehicles. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and NHTSA wants to ensure that all vehicle drivers Get Up to Speed on Motorcycles by following its tips for motorists:

“NHTSA has designed this campaign to address the issues drivers experience when encountering motorcycles on the road. Get Up to Speed on Motorcycles brings drivers up to speed on common motorcyclist riding behaviors, and highlights simple things drivers can do to increase the safety of their two-wheeled friends who have very little protection in the event of a multi-vehicle crash.”

NHTSA Facts 

• Research and state-level data consistently identifies motorists as being at-fault in more than half of all multi-vehicle motorcycle-involved collisions. In fact, motorcyclists are about 27 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and 5 times more likely to be injured, per vehicle mile traveled.

• NHTSA-funded research has shown that people behind the wheels of passenger vehicles are distracted more than 50 percent of the time.

• Improper use of a vehicle’s rear-view and side-view mirrors contributes to collisions, particularly with smaller vehicles like motorcycles. With roughly 40 percent of a vehicle’s outer perimeter zones hidden by blind spots, improper adjustment, or lack of use of one’s side-view mirrors can have dire consequences for motorcyclists.

NHTSA Tips for Motorists

• If you are turning at an intersection and your view of oncoming traffic is partially obstructed, wait until you can see around the obstruction, sufficiently scan for all roadway users (pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists alike), and proceed with caution. Slow your decision-making process down at intersections.

• One’s reaction time and ability to assess and respond to a potential collision, such as a lane change, is significantly hindered if there are large differences in speed among vehicles in traffic. When approaching a congested roadway, being diligent in modifying your speed to match that of the cars in traffic can be a lifesaver, particularly for motorcyclists.

• Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width. Though it may seem as if there is enough room in a single lane for a motor vehicle and a motorcycle, looks can be deceiving. Share the road, but not the lane. A motorcyclist needs room to maneuver safely.

• Because motorcycles are smaller than most vehicles, they can be difficult to see. Their size can also cause other drivers to misjudge their speed and distance.

• Size also counts against motorcycles when it comes to blind spots. Motorcyclists can be easily hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. Always look for motorcycles by checking your mirrors and blind spots before switching to another lane of traffic.

• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. This allows motorcyclists to anticipate your movement and find a safe lane position.

• Do not be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle. It may not be self-canceling, and the motorcyclist may have forgotten to turn it off. Wait to be sure the rider is going to turn before you proceed.

• Allow more follow distance, three or four seconds, when following a motorcycle; this gives the motorcycle rider more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. Motorcycle riders may suddenly need to change speed or adjust their lane position to avoid hazards such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad crossings, and grooved pavement.

“Motorcycle accidents are particularly devastating because motorcyclists do not have the same protection as other drivers. We urge all drivers to follow the NHTSA’s tips when traveling on our roads. Sharing the road appropriately may save a life and prevent injuries,” said Fort Myers Motorcycle Accident Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Fort Myers Motorcycle Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.