Summer is here and it’s time for fun! What better time of year to take to the open road on your motorcycle and discover the true meaning of freedom?
Of course, when riding your motorcycle, it’s important to make sure that you are following guidelines to ensure that you’re safe and well-protected. Here’s a list of motorcycle safety tips to help keep your summer from turning into a bummer!
Always Wear a Helmet
This one’s a no-brainer. Wearing a motorcycle helmet can help protect you against serious injury or death in the event of an accident. According to the Governors’ Highway Safety Association, or GHSA, motorcycle helmets lower the risk of head injury by 69% and the risk of death by almost 50%. What’s more, the Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety state that in 2017, there were 10 times as many unhelmeted motorcyclist fatalities in states without universal helmet laws as in states with universal helmet laws. Regardless of your state’s helmet laws, it pays to wear a helmet each time you ride.
Check the Weather
Bad weather conditions can cause motorcycle accidents by creating slick road surfaces and impairing visibility for the rider. Since motorcycles are especially vulnerable to hazards on the road, motorcyclists and their passengers are far more exposed to dangerous driving due to weather conditions than their fellow motorists in cars and trucks. Because of this, it pays to check the weather forecast before hitting the road for a ride in order to stay prepared against extreme summer weather conditions such as hail storms and thunderstorms.
Ride Sober
Summer is a time for celebrations, and this summer is expected to be an especially busy season full of backyard barbecues, Fourth of July parties, and assorted gatherings for weddings, graduations, and more. Sadly, as any Denver motorcycle accident attorney can tell you, this means that summer is also a time of increased risk for drunk driving accidents; in fact, one in every 3 motorcycle accidents is caused by drunk driving. Be sure to plan ahead in order to enjoy your gatherings responsibly. If you plan to consume alcohol at an event, leave the bike at home and arrange a designated driver or a rideshare service to get you home safely.
We’re wishing you a summer filled with good times, great weather, and plenty of chances to take to the open road on your motorcycle. By following these safety tips, you can ensure that you keep the “joy” in your summer joyrides!
