AAA Arizona, in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is recognizing May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. All motorists are reminded to safely share the road with motorcycles & to be extra alert when driving to keep motorcyclists safe.
“At the end of 2006 there were over 130,000 registered motorcycles in Arizona, which is an increase of nearly 50% since 2002,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs manager for AAA Arizona. “Unfortunately, the number of motorcycles isn’t the only thing that is increasing—tragically, motorcyclist deaths are also on the rise.”
According to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Department, 2,814 people were injured in motorcycle crashes on Arizona’s roadways in 2006. During that same time period, 155 motorcyclists were killed in Arizona, which represents a dramatic 61% increase from the 94 motorcycle-related fatalities reported in 2002.
Because the likelihood of a crash is higher when the operator of a motorcycle lacks proper training, AAA offers the following tips to keep riders safe while cruising on the streets:
Motorcycle Safety for Riders:
* Always wear protective gear, including a helmet that meets the Department of Transportation’s standards.
* Wear appropriate protective clothing.
* Adhere to the rules of the road, including the speed limit.
* Never ride when tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
* Know your skill limit and ride within it.
* Do not let other people ride with you until you are experienced enough to ride in all road conditions.
* Take a training course. Whether you are a beginning or experienced rider, a motorcycle training course can always help to improve your skills & prepare you for real world situations.
Historically, the leading cause of motorcycle crashes is usually not the motorcycle driver, but other drivers on the road who unintentionally fail to notice the cycle. This is in large part due to the fact that motorcycles have a much smaller profile than a car or truck, which can make it more difficult to judge the speed & distance of an approaching rider. As a result, AAA Arizona would like to offer the following tips to help other drivers be aware of their 2-wheeled counterparts:
Motorcycle Safety for Drivers in Passenger Vehicles:
* Since motorcycles have smaller profiles & can be difficult to see, thoroughly check traffic before entering or changing lanes.
* Signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging to help motorcyclists anticipate traffic flow & find a safe lane position.
* Wait for motorcycles to complete their turn before you proceed. On some motorcycles, the turn signals are not self-canceling & sometimes riders forget to turn them off.
* Allow more following distance, at least 3 or 4 seconds, when behind a motorcycle. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.
* Understand that motorcyclists adjust their speed & lane position for a purpose. A rider may change speed or adjust their position within a lane suddenly in reaction to conditions such as potholes, gravel, slippery surfaces, railroad crossings & grooved pavements.
* Give the motorcycle the lane area that you would give another vehicle. Although it may seem as though there is enough room in the traffic lane for an automobile & a motorcycle, a motorcycle needs the room to maneuver safely.
AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance & auto travel services to nearly 800,000 Arizona members. Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets & highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, & financial services to AAA members & motorists. Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety & security of all travelers.