Posted on May 19, 2011 by Joe Bornstein

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month Helps Decrease Motorcycle Accidents In Maine

Be it on our state’s rural back roads or the open lanes of I-95, motorcycles are back in action. The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein would like to remind Maine bikers about the importance of safe riding.  

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is a national initiative aimed at getting drivers and motorcyclists to coexist on the road. Typically, May is one of the deadliest months for bikers, as many begin riding again after taking the winter months off.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the two key factors in motorcycle accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities are:

  • Age - As bikers get older, their reaction time starts to diminish. Nearly half of all motorcycle accidents involve a rider over the age of 40.
  • Helmets - A recent study found that motorcyclists are 37 percent less likely to die in an accident when wearing a helmet, yet only 20 states have mandatory helmet laws. Maine bikers are urged to carefully consider wearing a helmet when they ride.

At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, we see firsthand the effects of tragic motorcycle accidents and would like to remind bikers of some critical safety tips to keep in mind this season:

  • Look out for each other: Motorcylists - use caution when riding as your bikes are small and often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. Motorists - be sure to do a visual check for motorcyclists by looking in mirrors when entering or leaving a lane of traffic.
  • Stay away: Maintain proper distance from other motorists as bikers are affected by minor elements that may not phase a motorist, including: potholes, gravel, wet and slippery surfaces, grooved paving and railroad crossings.
  • Observe the conditions outside: Avoid riding your bike in inclement weather
  • Be obedient: Always follow the general safety rules of the road and use hand and turn signals together to draw more attention to yourself when turning.
  • Protect yourself: Wear proper safety gear and carefully consider wearing a Department of Transportation compliant helmet. The right safety gear can help save lives.

Enjoy the open road, Mainers! Just remember to be safe while doing so.

For more information on Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, please visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s website: http://online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx

Joe Says:  "Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Often."

The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein - Maine Lawyers Working For Maine People.

Rick, Facilities Manager at the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein.
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Posted on May 8, 2009 by Joe Bornstein

May Means Motorcycle Safety

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is a national initiative aimed at getting drivers and motorcyclists to “Share the Road.” Typically, May is one of the deadliest months for bikers, as many begin riding again after taking the winter months off.

2007 marked the tenth consecutive year that motorcycle fatalities increased in the U.S. With over 5,000 fatalities and 100,000 injured bikers in the year alone, motorcycle safety has become a national health concern. Overall, motorcycles accounted for 13 percent of total traffic fatalities in 2007, while totaling fewer than 3 percent of the registered vehicles on the road.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has developed the model “Share the Road” to help educate both bikers and motorists on motorcycle safety. This model includes materials such as operator licensing manuals, public service announcements, brochures, pamphlets, posters, and websites. The NHTSA notes that two contributing factors that add to the uptick in motorcycle fatalities are:

  • Age – As more and more bikers get older, their reaction time begins to diminish. In 1997, 32 percent of motorcycle fatalities involved those over the age of forty. Ten years later that number rose to 47 percent.
  • Helmets – A recent study found that motorcyclists are 37 percent less likely to die in an accident when wearing a helmet, yet only 20 states require bikers to wear one. Bikers should consider wearing a helmet when they ride.

At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein we see firsthand the results of serious motorcycle accidents and would like to share some important motorcycle safety tips to help make your next ride a safe ride:

  • Motorcycles are small and often difficult for drivers to see. Use caution when riding as it can be difficult to judge the speed and distance of an approaching motorcycle.
  • Always be careful of being in the blind spot of automobiles.
  • Maintain proper distance from other motorists on the road, as bikers are often affected by minor elements that may not phase a motorist, including pot holes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, grooved paving, and railroad crossings.
  • Avoid riding in bad weather.
  • Wear protective gear and consider wearing a Department of Transportation compliant helmet. Proper safety gear can help save lives.
  • Use hand and turn signals together to draw more attention to yourself when turning.
  • Position yourself in a lane where you will be most visible to other drivers. Never weave in and out of traffic.
  • Obey the general safety rules of the road.

By taking the necessary measures to ride safe, such as considering wearing a helmet and other protective gear, riding sober, and taking motorcycle training classes, bikers will help ensure their own safety. And after all, a safe ride is always a fun ride.

For more information on Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month please visit: www.msf-usa.org.

And remember: Enjoy the open roads Mainers! Just be safe while doing so.

“To be a motorcycle rider is to take on an extra sense of responsibility on the roads.”
- Maine Governor Jon Baldacci
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