May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

I enjoy when my husband takes me for a ride on our motorcycle. It’s a great way to spend an evening after work or a weekend day. Bikes get great gas mileage and are fun to ride, but they do require some training and experience to operate them safely in traffic.

Motorcyclists are much more susceptible to injuries than someone driving a car. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, the number of motorcycle accident injuries and fatalities has risen steadily, from 2,349 in 2003 all the way to 3,648 in 2008. Almost a third of all Georgia fatalities occur in Gwinnett and surrounding counties. Surprisingly, some percentage of riders who lose their lives are not wearing a helmet, even though it’s a misdemeanor to ride without protective headgear. It’s good news that the number of registered motorcycles increased 63 percent during this same period, so the change of registrations is increasing more than the number of crashes that involve motorcyclists.

So how can we stay safe while riding? Along with simply following the standard rules of the road, the National Safety Council has these suggestions for riding safely:

Cars:

• Allow greater following distance behind a motorcycle.
• Be extra cautious in intersections.
• Give a motorcycle the full lane width. 

Motorcycles:

• Avoid riding in poor weather conditions.
• Position the motorcycle in the lane where you will be out of a motorist’s blind spot.
• Use turn signals for every turn or lane change.

There have been advances in safety devices, but according to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration, the best way to decrease your injury chances are through skills training, incremental technological advances, rider behavior, and personal protective equipment. All motorcycle operators should take a safety course offered by the Motorcycle Safety Program  through the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Both basic and advanced courses are offered. They will teach beginners how to operate all of the controls on the bike as well as how to maintain it. Riders will improve how they turn, lean and maneuver through traffic, and learn how to choose a proper helmet and protective gear. You will receive a certificate upon completion, and most insurance companies offer a discount for completing this training as long as you have not had an accident or moving violation within the prior three years.

There are many insurance options available to help you and your family in case you do have an accident. Your agent can suggest options to enhance your bike coverage with options including:

• Trip Interruption Coverage – Reimburses expenses for lodging, food and transportation if your bike has a covered loss.
• Rider Protection Package - Provides death indemnity and disability income for the rider and spouse.
• Guest Liability – Protects your passenger up to your liability limits.
• Transport Trailer Damage Insurance - Covers physical damage for your bike’s trailer.
• Towing  – Helps with labor and towing service if the bike is disabled.    

Also ask about discounts for technologies such as passive restraint and anti-lock brakes, as well as discounts for having a recovery device (Lojack), and belonging to a riding organization (like the Harley Owners Group).

Have a fun and safe time this summer.