The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is spreading the word about motorcycle safety this month. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and officials with the NHTSA are calling on drivers and motorcyclists to share the responsibility for roadway safety. Motorcycle riders are one of the most vulnerable groups of roadway users. They don’t have seat belts or protective steel cages to rely on in the event of a crash. At best, they have helmets, jackets, gloves, boots and vests, but that gear can only do so much in a severe or catastrophic accident. While they can certainly improve personal safety through the use of the above-mentioned protective gear, motorcycle riders are truly at the mercy of other drivers and motorists on the roadways. The NHTSA is calling on drivers and other roadway users to “Share the Road” with motorcyclists this month and all yearlong.
Motorcycle Safety Facts
- In 2012, 4,986 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes.
- In 2013, 4,668 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes.
- An estimated 88,000 motorcycle riders were injured in 2013.
- Per vehicle mile travelled, motorcyclist fatalities occurred 26 times more frequently than passenger car occupant fatalities in traffic crashes.
- The NHTSA estimates that helmets saved 1,630 motorcyclists in 2013.
- 184 motorcyclists were killed in North Carolina crashes in 2013.
Share the Road
Sharing the road means giving motorcycle riders the respect they deserve. It also means that drivers need to be fully paying attention to the task of driving, at all times. A distracted driver isn’t sharing the road. Since motorcyclists need additional space and time to maneuver in the event of a roadway emergency, drivers are reminded to give them plenty of space. Tailgating or other types of aggressive driving behaviors are extremely dangerous and put motorcycle riders’ lives at great risk.
After a Motorcycle Accident in Asheville
Even seemingly minor motorcycle accidents can have devastating consequences for riders. A motorcycle accident can quickly leave a rider in the hospital and out of work. If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident in Asheville or any of the surrounding mountain communities, contact the skilled and proven team at Davis Law Group, P.A. at 888-773-8388 for a free case consultation today.