As the weather continues to get warmer, more motorcyclists will take to Maine’s open roads. While riding can be an enjoyable hobby, lifestyle, or mode of transportation, it can also bring with it a slew of risks.
Safety tips for the coming riding season
Whether you’re an old-timer or a rookie rider in Maine, you likely took a season-long break from riding throughout the colder months. Before jumping back on your bike as the warmer months approach, it can never hurt to revisit your riding skills and remember basic safety precautions. That's why we created our free Motorcycle Safety Handbook to help educate Mainers on motorcycle safety.
Newswire also offers some safety tips:
- Educate yourself: No matter how long you’ve been riding, or how much experience you have, there is always room to keep up to date with new laws and brush up on your skills.
- Wear the right gear: Motorcycles don’t provide the same protection or support as a car does. To avoid being seriously injured in a crash, it’s best to wear a helmet, as well as long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, gloves, goggles, and boots.
- Be seen: Passenger vehicle and commercial truck drivers don’t always pay attention or see motorcyclists. One way to make yourself more noticeable, especially at night, is to always use your headlights and ensure that your motorcycle and protective gear is equipped with reflective devices.
- Be attentive: Always be prepared for the unexpected, especially when around passenger vehicles or commercial trucks. Drivers around you could be texting, driving impaired, or driving recklessly at any given moment.
- Stay sober: Riding sober isn’t only required by law, it can prevent a potentially fatal crash from occurring.
- Keep your motorcycle maintained: Before taking your bike out for the first time this season, always be sure to check the tires, brakes, lights, turn signals, fluids, and filters. If any components of your bike need to be repaired or updated, it’s crucial that you do that before riding.
- Plan ahead: Before hitting the road, it’s important to check the weather. Heavy rain, violent wind, and thick fog are common this time of year. It also helps to check the Maine Department of Transportation’s website to stay informed about any scheduled roadwork, construction, or utility work.
- Avoid aggression: If a driver makes a careless maneuver that nearly causes a crash, it’s best not to get involved in aggressive behavior. Simply keep your distance to avoid a crash.
Legal recourse for injured motorcyclists
At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, we hope motorcyclists throughout the state of Maine and beyond have a safe riding season. Our law firm understands the challenges many motorcyclists face when sharing the road with inattentive or negligent drivers.
Should you or a loved one be injured in a motorcycle accident, it’s important that you know your rights. Contact us today to explore your legal options.
