There’s no denying that operating a motorcycle is a dangerous business, for a variety of reasons. According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, in 2014, there were 3,651 motorcycle crashes, with 3,060 injuries and 140 fatalities (operators and passengers). Many of these accidents could have been avoided if both motorcyclists and other drivers on the road were more aware of some simple safety rules. In honor of May being Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, Muth & Company Roofing would like to share these tips on motorcycle safety.
For Motorcyclists:
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Dress for safety. Even though wearing a helmet is not required by law in Ohio for those who are over 18 or have had their license for more than a year, a helmet is the best way to reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury. Other important gear includes motorcycle gloves and boots, a protective jacket and pants to guard against road rash, and protective goggles.
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Stay aware. Don’t rely on your mirrors. Turn your head and look over your shoulder when changing lanes. Stay alert at all times and keep your head and eyes up, especially at intersections and when rounding corners.
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Pay attention to the road. While it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, you also need to watch the road in order to avoid things like loose gravel and debris that could cause you to lose control.
For Other Motorists:
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Look twice and save a life. Motorcycles are small and narrow, and can often be hidden in cars’ blind spots. Take the time to look twice for motorcycles when changing lanes, and check your blind spots frequently.
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Give them extra space. The small size of motorcycles often makes them appear farther away than they really are. Also, wet or slippery roads make stopping quickly much more difficult for motorcycles, so it’s always a good idea to give yourself an extra cushion of about four seconds of stopping time to account for that.
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Be extra cautious when making left turns. As the number of bikes on the road in the spring and summer increases, it’s important to remain vigilant and take extra precautions when making left turns. A big percentage of car-on-motorcycle accidents happens when a car turning left doesn’t see a motorcyclist going straight and turns into their path.
The spring weather that draws out motorcyclists can be unpredictable, and often spring storms end up causing damage to gutter systems and roofing. If you need a roof repair due to storm damage, give Muth a call at (614) 682-3060. Our experienced roofers will have your roof fixed up in no time.