Reminders for Motorcyclists This Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

The Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is being celebrated this month. Obviously, a lot of federal and state traffic safety agencies, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), are raising safety awareness not only for motorcyclist but for other motorists as well through educational campaigns and other important initiatives.

This national traffic safety initiative aims to remind both motorcyclists and motorists to look out for each other, putting into account the value of sharing the road to further avoid accidents. As we all know, motorcycle mishaps make up a large part of motor traffic accidents and subsequent injuries and deaths, and this month’s awareness campaign is a great way to instill to the minds of people the importance of safety driving.

Statistics from the NHTSA indicated that some 4,612 motorcyclists were killed in the United States two years ago. Said figure was a two-percent increase from the previous year, and it also accounted for about 14 percent of all traffic highway deaths in the country. This is despite motorcycle registrations accounting to only about 3 percent of all vehicles in the U.S.

Preventing motorcycle accident injuries and deaths are one of the highlights of the NHTSA’s awareness drive for this month. In fact, the traffic safety agency has provided the following safety recommendations for motorcyclists:

Getting on the Other Side of the Road, Safely

A pedestrian faces a lot of dangers while walking on the road. Every year, thousands of pedestrians get injured due to these road accidents. Some injuries are very minor while others are life threatening. If you’re unlucky enough, you may not see another day. However a Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer says that you can do something to minimize the chances of, if not totally avoiding getting involved in accidents in most of these occasions. Question that pops to one’s mind is how? How can one dodge the dangers of walking on the side of the road?

Here are some of the best practices for pedestrians to avoid getting injured or die because of an accident.

-          Obey traffic rules and signs at all times. This is the root of all evil. Road rules and signs are there for a reason. Why would the government put up all of these expensive road signs, right? However, some ignorant or impatient people would go and risk their very lives just for fake convenience. These very people are the ones with the most chances of figuring in an accident. So the best way to keep yourself safe? Adhere to what these signs are saying.

-          Cross only on crosswalks. Pedestrian crosswalks are where people should really cross. However, some people think that crosswalks are too far for them to go to. They feel that it is a waste of energy and time to go and find the nearest crosswalk than just simply cross the road. Because of these, people get struck by cars that get them hurt. Make it a practice to cross only on crosswalks. You don’t only get exercise for taking some extra steps to get to the crosswalk, you also lessen your chances of getting run over by a vehicle.

-          Distracted walking. Who says that only drivers are not allowed to send text messages or call? Pedestrians should also be attentive at all times so they can see or hear possible hazards on the road. So make sure to keep that mobile phone or tablet in your pocket to avoid accidents.

Drinking and Driving: A Deadly Concoction

Driving is such a great experience one can have. Being able to go where you want to go using a vehicle is such a great feeling that not a lot of people would be able to feel. While there are a lot of people who’d rather be just a passenger, there are a few that wants to feel that wonderful sensation of operating a vehicle.

Drinking is also one thing that most people do to unwind. Alcohol gives one a great feeling, helping you let loose and unwind. People with problems are given the courage to let things out of him or her, lightening up one’s burden. Also, alcohol can be a great catalyst for fun times. However, too much alcohol can cause undesirable things that one person may regret.

As the old adage once said, “you can’t have everything in life”. This has never been truer with drinking and driving. Both are fun to do but combining them can be real deadly. If you have been drinking, your reflexes slow down which also affects your reaction time. Driving, as you very well know need fast reflexes as anything can happen on the road. If you wouldn’t be able to react properly and avoid road hazards, things can turn our badly.

Accidents caused by driving under the influence have been causing damage to property and worse, injuries or loss of lives. Now why would anybody want to risk that all for a night of fun? Why would anybody rush to go home when he or she believes that he or she will be having a hard time driving themselves home as they are really drunk?