Bought Your First Motorcycle? 3 Tips To Keep You Protected While You're On The Road

Posted on

You bought your first motorcycle. Now your friends and family are telling you how dangerous they are. It's true that riding a motorcycle increases your risk of being involved in a traffic accident. According to statistics, more than 55,000 people are injured on motorcycles each year. However, there are ways to protect yourself. Take a look at this list of precautions that can keep you safe while on your motorcycle.

Choose the Right Clothing

Clothing might not seem like a reliable way to protect yourself on a motorcycle. However, according to research, your arms, legs and head are the most likely to suffer injuries in a motorcycle accident. The right clothing can protect your body in an accident. Here's what you should be wearing on your body.

Jacket

Your jacket should be long-sleeved and it should cover your arms, chest and back. It should be made of leather or nylon, and should have padded elbows. If possible, you should select a jacket that has reflective tape on the arms and back. This will help drivers see you in the dark.

Pants

Your pants should also be made from durable leather or nylon. They should be long enough to tuck into your boots – or cover your ankles if you're not wearing boots. Your pants should also have a reflective strip somewhere on them.

Protect the Noggin

Your helmet might be the most important piece of safety equipment you can own when you drive a motorcycle. According to statistics, you're 40% more likely to die from a head injury if you're not wearing a helmet during an accident. To fully protect you during an accident, your helmet should completely cover your head. It should also fit snugly so that it doesn't wiggle around while you drive.

Drive Defensively

When you're riding a motorcycle on city streets and highways, you can be difficult to see. This is particularly true when automobile drivers are on the phone or distracted in other ways. You can protect yourself from harm by being aware of your surroundings. Driving defensively can help prevent accidents. Stay a safe distance behind automobiles and be aware of what the drivers around you are doing, especially if they look distracted.

Left turns are a common cause of accidents between cars and motorcycles. In fact, statistics show that left turn accidents make up more than 40% of all car versus motorcycle accidents. When you're riding your motorcycle, keep a look-out for drivers making left hand turns in front of you.

Motorcycles are a great way to see the country. Wearing the appropriate gear and being aware of your surroundings can help keep you safe while you're on the road. If you should be involved in an accident, be sure to contact an attorney who has experience handling motorcycle accidents like Teresa P Williams PA.


Share