Safety on Two Wheels AND on Four: Motorcycle Safety Awareness

Here in Central Florida, motorcycles are a choice means of transportation.  Our beautiful weather, mild (usually warm) climate, and flat roadways are prime conditions for motorcyclists. Unfortunately though, we also have many motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities.  We want to see ALL motorists kept safe, regardless of how many wheels they are driving.  Whether on a motorcycle (two wheels OR three) or in a full-sized vehicle, every driver should be able to feel safe when they hit the road.

So, how can we make sure motorcyclists are kept safe?  Here are some simple tips to follow whether you are the one driving a bike OR a car.

1. Not Sober?  Pull over.  Alcohol is a key factor in many accidents, whether it involves a motorcycle or not.  Sadly, many motorcycle fatalities are reported to be due to intoxication of the motorcyclists and/or the other driver.  Don’t put yourself or other drivers at risk.  If you’ve had a couple of drinks either stay where you are until you are sober if possible, or call a friend or family member to come and get you.

2. Look, And Look Again.  This is an important rule regardless of what you are driving…even if you are on something as small as roller skates!  Before pulling out into any type of traffic, look once, twice, and preferably three times in each direction.  What might seem like extreme, and almost unnecessary caution, could save your life and the lives of others.  For those driving cars, it can be easy to miss a motorcycle due to their smaller size, so be hyper-vigilant of the roadways when pulling out.  This is especially true in the early morning and at dusk, when the faded light can play with your eyes and make it harder to see headlights of oncoming traffic.

3. Slow Down.  Speeding is a factor in many automobile accidents, but this is especially key in motorcycle accidents.  Motorcyclists can’t stop as quickly or as easily as a car can, and if they are speeding, they are likely to hit any unexpected object or vehicle with force that can be extremely dangerous (and often fatal).  If you are driving a motorcycle, keep an eye on the speed.  While it might seem fun to hit top speeds, your safety is not worth a few moments of thrill.

4. Bad Weather = Extra Caution.  Whether in a car, or on a bike, bad weather and poor driving conditions mean you need to take extra caution with even the most simple driving tasks.  Speeding, taking turns too quickly, pulling out in front of another driver, etc. are all exacerbated when the roads are wet and/or slick from rain.  During our summer months here in Florida, we often get heavy storms with lots of rain, and that leads to an increase in accidents.  Those on motorcycles are at a greater risk of injury or death in these situations because bikes are much more likely to have issues on wet roadways due to them only having two wheels against the pavement instead of four.

5. Gear Up.  If you are driving a motorcycle, or riding on one, WEAR A HELMET.  While it’s not a law here in Florida, not wearing a helmet when driving something as high-speed as a motorcycle is a bad idea.  An accident without a helmet means a much higher likelihood of severe or fatal injuries to the driver.

We hope this has helped you think through sharing the roadway with motorists of all types.  Carroll Marshall Insurance is proud to serve the Polk County community with insurance coverage meeting all types of needs, from health and life policies, to protection for your motorcycle or car.  We work with you to find a plan that fits your needs and your budget, so give us a call or stop by our local Winter Haven office to get started!