Wicomico County MD--As thousands of motorcycle riders come to visit Delmarva this week the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind everyone to be extra careful and watch for motorcycle riders.
One out of every nine U.S. road fatalities accounted for last year involved motorcycle riders. This steady increase in fatalities over the past decade represents one of our Nation’s greatest highway safety challenges.
Because of their smaller size, motorcyclists are often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. “It’s crucial that motorists always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.” said Sheriff Mike Lewis.
Sheriff Lewis also said that motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than passenger vehicle drivers in the event of a crash. He said that a recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study showed, motorcyclists were 27 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash.
Sheriff Lewis offered several tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on our roadways:
- Remember the motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the rights and privileges of any other motor vehicle on the roadway. Always allow a motorcyclist the full lane width—never try to share a lane;
- Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections;
- Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic;
- Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle – motorcycle signals are often not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed;
- Remember that road conditions which are minor annoyances to other vehicles pose major hazards to motorcyclists;
- Allow more following distance, three or four seconds, when following a motorcycle, so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. And don’t tailgate. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.
Our message to all drivers is: Share the Road and be Courteous to Motorcyclists. Always Look Once, Look Twice and Look Again at Intersections.
11 comments:
And for God's sake please stop blowing your cut grass in the road. Fresh cut grass is like an oil slick to a Motorcycle and can cause a serious accident.
Junk hanging from rear view mirrors blocks out motorcycles.
Nice article....great reminders!! Hope to see everyone at the different venues!!
Mike, you forgot to tell all the bike jockies reading this article to slow down, not all bike accidents are caused by car and truck drivers!
Yes! All you Grassholes out there please stop.
I heard that Winter Place Park was not hosting this year? Is this true? What happened?
The event is being held at the Shorebirds Stadium.
Never been a big fan of Bike week! I hope everyone is safe and conducts themselves properly. Just don't like all the noise and rowdiness.
Uh huh.
How about telling bikers that weaving through traffic and passing in the tiny space between the cars in the fast and slow lane can get them killed and they should stop that dumb sh**.
Bikers tailgating cars isn't too safe either.
It ain't ALWAYS the cars causing havoc.
Crotch rocket bikes weave through traffic, folks with gray beards ride slow or are parked in the inlet, convention center enjoying the day spending lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$!
You may see a few bikers doing the things you describe but you label them all the same? Not to condone any of it but if some vehicles are camped out in the left lane and won't move over, what would you do? Have a mile long parade behind the one who won't move?
I don't think so.
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