The Texas Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs started a program eight years ago, urging all motorcyclists to ask that city officials throughout the state issue a proclamation to recognize May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month, according to the Alvin Sun.
They started out with seven city proclamations in 2003 and now have nearly 200 cities and more than 10 counties participating. Texas Governor Rick Perry also issued a proclamation in 2010 to help reduce the risks of a motorcycle accident in Dallas and elsewhere in the state.
Our Dallas injury lawyers urge motorcyclists to join the efforts of this year’s safety awareness month; attend council meetings and other awareness events to help keep our roadways safer and accident free.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TexDOT), the number of registered motorcycles in Texas more than doubled over the last ten years from more than 180,000 in 2000 to more than 424,000 in 2010.
In 2010, More than 37,000 beginner and advanced students went through the Texas Motorcycle Operator Training Program courses. A 5 to 20 percent discount was offered by most motorcycle insurance companies for completing the safety course, according to Hill Country Times.
The main message of this year’s Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month asks that motorists take a second look before pulling out into traffic, changing lanes or crossing through intersections. Nearly every day there are reports of accidents and fatalities involving a motorcyclist.
Motorcycle events will be held statewide throughout the month, like the one that was held last week at Texas State Technical College (TSTC), according to the Valley Morning Star.
“With gas prices going up, we’ve heard from dealerships that they’ve seen an increase in motorcycle sales,” said Angie Gonzalez, TSTC’s continuing education director .
Because motorcycles are much smaller than other vehicles, drivers may have a difficult time judging the distance and speed of an approaching motorcycle. This is why drivers involved in crashes with motorcycles often claim that they never saw the motorcyclist and is why they were unable to react in time to prevent the accident, according to TexDOT.
The Texas’ “Share The Road” campaign asks all motorists to look twice for motorcyclists — because seeing them is saving them:
-Look twice, especially at intersections, entering traffic or when changing lanes. Clearly signal your intentions to alert motorcyclists of you movement.
-Have respect. Remember that a motorcycle has the exact same rules, privileges and regulations as every other motorist.
-Give them space. Don’t tailgate as their riding patterns are not always steady. Riders often swerve and veer within traffic lanes to avid road debris and to steer clear of strong traffic winds.
-Be cautious of their reactions in varying weather conditions. Motorcycles take a much longer distance to stop on wet pavement.
-Keep out of their lane when riding next to them as well. They deserve a full lane just as you do.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer Mike Goolsby of The Goolsby Law Firm for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call (972) 492-8758.
