May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and motorcyclists who are taking an Arizona road trip might like to learn more about staying safe while on the road. Other motorists also can educate themselves in order to reduce their risk of hitting motorcycles.
A motorcyclist’s wardrobe is not just about fashion but safety too. Full-faced helmets are not chosen for style but because they offer more protection than open-faced ones. Some bikers believe that full-faced helmets restrict visibility, but the Department of Transportation has standards for this headgear that require that all helmets offer a wide field of view and do not block peripheral vision. There is also a practical reason for wearing leather while on a bike as this rough material protects against cuts, scrapes and abrasions.
Unfortunately, many motorists believe that they will see motorcycles on the road. This is sometimes a deadly assumption as accidents are often caused when cars do not notice motorcycles, so motorcyclists are often safer when assuming that a driver does not see them. They can ride closer to the dividing line between two lanes to increase visibility, and they can also take turns and curves cautiously and wear reflective clothing when it is dark out. Routine maintenance is also smart and safe.
Motorcyclists often try to give others on the road a wide enough berth, but other drivers do not always anticipate the smaller vehicles. Limiting distractions and observing surroundings can help motorists stay aware and watch out for motorcycles. When a collision does occur, however, and it is due to the negligence of another driver, a motorcycle accident victim may want to have legal assistance from a Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer for recovering compensation for such things as medical bills and lost wages.