By Dominic Fariello of Law Offices of Dominic O. Fariello, P.A. posted in Motorcycle Safety on Thursday, May 14, 2015.
Motorcycle accidents can be pretty ugly, so we are always looking for ways to encourage motorcycle safety for both riders and car drivers. It is up to both parties to act responsibly as they navigate their motorcycles or vehicles. Here are a few motorcycle safety statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is worth becoming familiar with these statistics, as they indicate patterns that could help you make some better decisions while you are out riding – or driving.
- Motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to experience a deadly accident on the road than those in passenger cars. Take heed of this tidbit of information. This is how dangerous motorcycles can be. Both drivers and motorcyclists have a dire responsibility to be careful.
- Head injuries are the most common cause of death for motorcyclists. To protect the head, wear a helmet, whether it looks stupid, it’s super hot, or any excuses you have for not wearing one. Encourage your friends and family who ride motorcycles to wear helmets. Design a “cool” helmet so more people will wear them.
- 44% of all victims that were fatally injured in a motorcycle accident were not wearing helmets. See above – wear it, no matter how uncomfortable it is!
- More than 42% of motorcyclists in 2011 were killed in a two vehicle accident and 38% of these were the result of another vehicle turning left in front of the motorcycle that was either going straight, passing or overtaking another vehicle. Again, this is a reminder to be present when you are driving or riding, especially when taking turns or on the highway.
- Of all motorcycle deaths in 2011, 35% were the direct result of rider speeding. That is a huge figure. Slowing down alone can save your life.
- 42% of motorcycle riders who died in single vehicle crashes in 2011 had blood alcohol levels of 0.8g/dL or higher. It would be wise to completely abstain from alcohol while riding, but certainly don’t ride drunk.
If you or someone you know has suffered from a motorcycle accident, contact us as soon as possible to ensure you receive proper legal representation. Call 813-251-5550813-251-5550 today for a free consultation or visit our motorcycle injury page HERE. Also, check out some of our other articles about motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian safety.
