Taking your motorcycle to the streets can be thrilling. It can also just be your regular way of commuting, since Texas weather usually makes year-round riding feasible. But whether you are taking an occasional joy ride or embarking on your daily commute, safety should be top of mind with every ride.
Without having protection of the walls of a typical vehicle, motorcyclists have a much greater chance of dying in a collision. To reduce the odds of falling victim to a fatal crash, it’s important to take steps to prepare for your ride and make fellow drivers and riders on the road aware of your presence.
Get your license
One of the first things you can do to decrease the chance of a terrible accident, is receiving training and a license to signify your knowledge. Riding a bicycle and driving a car are great experiences to have before riding, but neither replicate motorcycle riding perfectly. Plus, according to the National Highway and Safety Administration, nearly 30% of riders who died in crashes in 2017 did not have their motorcycle license.
Hydrate and rehydrate
Texas residents know just how hot the weather can get. Whether you take a sunny day cruise or wait until it cools down at night, staying properly hydrated is crucial. You probably understand how dangerous it is to ride while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. But, you might not know that not drinking enough throughout the day, especially in high heat, can cause dehydration and dehydration can impact your driving abilities. Common effects of dehydration include feeling dizzy, experiencing a headache and, in severe cases, fainting — none of which mix well with operating a motor vehicle.
Increase your visibility
Lastly, since you will be a lot smaller than the vehicles across Texas roadways, it’s essential to do all you can to make your presence known. You can do this through a combination of riding habits. One obvious way is to wear bright clothing during the day and reflective clothing at night. You can also add reflective features to each side of your bike and additional lighting to your ride.
Besides attire and bike embellishments, you should also try to stay out of the blind spot of other drivers. This is because you can wear the brightest clothes in the world and a driver might still not see you if you are riding near the back of their vehicle. Instead, try keeping distance between you and the cars ahead of you and behind you.
Unfortunately, even careful bike riders wind up in accidents. To help you or a loved one recover from the injuries and other damages caused by a crash, a personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claim filing process.
