Be safe, motorcyclists and motorists

Sunshine and warm weather beckon motorcycle enthusiasts who are eager to put their bikes on the road. The rumble of motorcycle engines will grow louder as the months grow warmer and motorcycle traffic increases.

Photo Credit: William Davisson

We're already seeing more motorcycles on the roads in fact. Unfortunately, a report of a motorcycle accident has appeared as well. On Sunday, two motorcyclists were injured, one seriously, in a four-vehicle crash on Route 104 in Irondequoit. The start of motorcycle season in Western New York and this recent accident serve as a reminder for operators of automobiles and motorcycles operators to watch out for another.  Obey traffic laws, practice defensive driving and share the road.

In an ideal world, the 2017 motorcycle season won't be a repeat of the dangerous and at times deadly warm months of  2016. Last year, a spate of deadly crashes included a Spencerport man killed in a June crash, which was the third motorcycle fatality within a week. A motorcyclist was killed in Pittsford in August, marking the third motorcycle fatality in a weekend in the Rochester area at that time.

There were 4,750 motorcycle crashes in 2014, the most recent data available from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Of that number, 142 were fatal. Across the nation, there were 8.6 million motorcycles on the road in 2015.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are nearly  27 times as likely as passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled, and six times as likely to be injured.

These sobering statistics don't have to repeat in 2017. Accidents can be avoided in many cases and some motorcycle deaths are preventable. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation  offers a short list of important tips for car and truck drivers. For instance, drivers should allow more following distance behind a motorcycle, and take an extra moment to look for motorcycles when changing lanes or turning at an intersections. Why? A motorcycle can be hidden in your vehicle's blind spots.

As for motorcycle riders, please stick to the speed limit  — in 2015, 33 percent of all U.S. motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding, according to the NHTSA. Also, give yourself space and time to respond to the moves of other motorists (remember, motorists might not see you). Absolutely do not ride under the influence. Lastly, if you're a new motorcycle enthusiast, get formal training.

Motorcyclists and motorists have to share the road. Let's do so safely by watching out for one another.

  Source: democratandchronicle.com