LIVING HERE
It’s not exactly Hell’s Angels or the Diablos but…
As Spring weather has started to settle in after a mild winter, the public is seeing and experiencing more motorcycles on the roads earlier than normal. This means drivers will be sharing the road with smaller vehicles through fall. There are roughly 2,000 motorcycle crashes every year in Wisconsin, involving hundreds of injuries and dozens of fatalities that can’t be prevented but may be minimized if every other driver plays a part. Motorcycles are smaller than the average vehicle, so they can be harder to see on the roads and it’s easy to misjudge the speed and distance. Drivers are asked to use caution when traveling near motorcycles.
Two motorcycles may drive side by side in a single traffic lane, although not legally, and they may also ignore traffic control devices when clumped in larger numbers. Try to ignore these violations. Other vehicle drivers are encouraged to look twice for motorcycles, as many crashes happen when drivers pull out from a stop sign, turn left, or change lanes. Keep an extra following distance from all motorcycles. Motorcycles have a shorter stopping distance so if a motorcycle needs to stop suddenly, you need more room to avoid a collision. Sharing the road is a two-way street, so motorcyclists need to do their part to be visible and follow the same rules of the road as other vehicles. Safe riding practices help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on the roads.
Riders should consider the following: avoid distractions and ride soberly, know and observe all traffic laws, including obeying the speed limit. ride defensively and don’t take risks, scan the road ahead carefully, especially on curves, look for gravel and sand, and do not share a lane with another vehicle; staggered riding is much preferred for multiple motorcycles. Protective, high-visibility clothing and safety gear are recommended, and helmets are very strongly encouraged to prevent serious injury or death in a crash. Helmets are required by state law for riders under 18. Let’s all do our part in making the roads safer for everyone.
