Staying safe on the road
Motorcycling continues to grow as both a sport and a mode of transportation in New York. In 2005, the number of motorcycle registrations reached a new all-time high of 272,779. With the large increases in the price of gas and steady motorcycle sales, this growth trend is expected to continue.
Bikers are being injured or killed at alarming numbers on New York Highways. Safety has moved beyond simple concern to being a survival issue. With more large SUV's and other types of vehicles that are in-compatible with motrcycles in a collission situation, it is more dangerous than ever to ride.
Haymond Law's goal is to help promote safety awareness in the New York motorcycle community.
Do's and Don'ts that just may save your life:
If you are under 21 yrs of age, in addition to proper licensing you should have a minimum of 6 months experience and practice before riding with a passenger. Further, you should only carry a passenger if you have a proven track record of safe driving. If there is any question as to the above statement, you probably SHOULD NOT carry a pasenger.
Many states now have helmet laws. Regardless, it is imperative that both rider and passenger ALWAYS wear a properly fastened, MOTORCYCLE HELMET. This helmet is best to be FULL FACE and must meets or exceed Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218.
Always obey all traffic laws and speed limits. Motorcycle injuries are most always SEVERE. If you have violated traffic laws in conjunction with your accident, your ability to RECOVER damages will be extermely limited. With the "out of control" costs of healthcare, the decision to travel fast may mean a lifetime of debt in the event of an injury.
It is difficult for many motorists to see motorcycles at night, particularly on foggy evenings or at dusk. Although it may go against your fashion sense, proper lighting and brightly colored clothing may just save your life. Many motorcyclists have started adding neon ground effects to their motorcycles which many feel also helps people properly see and track motorcyclists in the dark. Even in daylight, studies show that leaving your headlight can greatly reduce your chance of an accident.