As temperatures rise, more people get out on the road with their motorcycles. Their return to the road en masse often leads to numerous preventable crashes caused by drivers who have fallen out of the safety habits necessary to share the road with motorcycles.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in North Carolina. For the last few years, the governor has announced early in May the need to recognize motorcycle safety as a priority for people in traffic. Generally, the intention behind the holiday is that the governor reminds both those who ride motorcycles and anyone who could potentially encounter them in traffic to make motorcycle safety a top priority.
Other drivers can help keep motorcycle riders safer in traffic by actively looking for them. Motorcycle riders can commit to a handful of different habits that could potentially save their lives. The following are some of the best ways for those who regularly ride motorcycles to observe Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
With a thorough motorcycle inspection
Technically, North Carolina requires that all vehicles undergo safety inspections. There are rules for motorcycles just like there are rules for enclosed four-wheel vehicles. Riders need to take their motorcycles to licensed mechanics for inspections to ensure they are safe enough to ride.
The mechanic looks at systems including:
- headlights
- accessory lights
- directional/turn signals
- tires
- brakes
- license plate lights
- horns
- mirrors
- exhaust systems
- steering
If any of those systems require work, the professional inspecting the motorcycle can notify the owner and might even save their life. Issues with any of those key systems could mean that the motorcycle malfunctions with little warning.
With renewed focus on personal safety
Many motorcycle collisions are the result of what people in bigger vehicles do. However, certain actions can increase someone’s chance of causing a crash or getting involved in one. Exceeding the speed limit, texting at stoplights and drinking before getting on a motorcycle can all be very dangerous decisions.
Making a commitment to spend the next riding season avoiding common causes of motorcycle crashes could lead to a safer summer. Those who observe Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in North Carolina may set themselves up for a better, safer riding season overall.