When drivers take to the highway, they owe each other a duty of care. Driving safely helps to keep everyone out of harm’s way. When it comes to motorcycles, both riders and automobile drivers should be working together to provide a safe roadway environment. Doing Your Part as a Motorcycle Rider As a motorcycle rider, there are many different steps you can take to help ensure your safety while on the road. First, you’ll want to start by purchasing the right safety equipment. Always opt for a full-coverage helmet as this design offers an optimal level of protection as opposed to a half shell or going without a helmet. Make sure that your chosen helmet has a DOT sticker indicating that it meets lawful safety standards. Only get behind the handlebars of a bike that you can adequately control. If you’re having trouble holding the bike up, you need to downgrade to a lighter bike that you have more control over. When choosing a bike, be sure to invest in one that has anti-lock brakes. To make yourself more visible to other drivers on the roadway, opt for wearing light-colored and reflective clothing. You should ride with your headlight on regardless of whether it’s day or night. Lastly, make sure that you’re driving defensively. Always position yourself where you can be easily seen by other drivers on the roadway. Doing Your Part as an Automobile Driver Motorcycle safety on the highway doesn’t just fall on the shoulders of the motorcycle riders. Automobile drivers owe their fellow highway residents a duty of care to watch out for their safety. One of the best actions that automobile drivers can take to enhance the safety of motorcycle drivers on the road is to put down distractions. Your focus should be on the roadway when you’re driving, not on your phone. The majority of motorcycle fatalities happen when an automobile makes a left-hand turn across traffic. Many say afterwards that they simply didn’t see the motorcycle rider until it was too late. You can protect yourself and riders by always slowing down and looking twice before making any turn across traffic. When turning, always remind yourself that motorcycles share the roadway, and you need to be looking for objects smaller than a car. When following motorcycles down the road, just as with cars, you should be giving them a good bit of space. Whenever you see a motorcycle traveling on the highway near you, always keep in mind where they are whenever you’re turning or switching lanes. Since motorcycles are much smaller than cars, they can fall within your blind spot more easily. Enhancing motorcycle safety on the roadway requires a two-pronged approach. Both motorcycle riders and vehicle drivers need to do their part in making the roadway safe for one another to travel on.
In New York, many people enjoy riding motorcycles in the summer for an economical form of transportation and the sense of freedom they feel when they ride. May was Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, but riders and motorists need to continue practicing safe driving throughout the year. As warmer weather approaches in the state, it is important for both motorcyclists and those who share the road with them to exercise caution to prevent motorcycle accidents. People who ride motorcycles were 25 times more likely to be killed in collisions in 2019, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Here are some things that both bikers and motorists should do to reduce the risk of motorcycle collisions. How Motorcyclists Can Reduce Accident Risks Before you take your bike out for a ride, you should carefully inspect it. Make sure that your tires have good tread and that all of the lights are working. Test the brakes to make sure that they engage. If your motorcycle needs new tires or repairs, take it to the shop before you ride. Some of the other things that you can do to reduce your risk of being involved in a motorcycle accident include these: • Wear a helmet, motorcycle boots, and protective clothing. • Always obey speed limits, stop signs, and traffic lights. • Keep plenty of room between your motorcycle and other vehicles. • Pay attention to what other drivers are doing to give yourself enough time to react. • Never ride while impaired by alcohol or other drugs. • Keep your attention focused on the road. While doing these things won’t prevent all motorcycle accidents, they can greatly reduce the risk of a collision. How Motorists Can Help Prevent Motorcycle Collisions Motorcycles are more difficult for motorists to see since they are smaller than other types of vehicles. People who drive cars and trucks in New York owe a legal duty of care to drive with reasonable caution so that they can prevent collisions with motorcycles. Some of the things that motorists can do to avoid causing a motorcycle accident include the following: • Avoid speeding. • Check your mirrors, and look over your shoulder before changing lanes to spot motorcyclists. • Watch for oncoming motorcycles when you are turning left, and yield to them. • Obey all traffic control devices, including stoplights and stop signs. • Do not engage in distracting activities while you drive. • Never drive after you have ingested alcohol or other drugs. • Avoid tailgating motorcycles. • Do not drive while drowsy. • Do not pass in no-passing zones. Motorists who cause motorcycle collisions should call for help and remain at the scene. They should provide first aid to the motorcyclists if they are injured and wait for the police and emergency medical responders to arrive. Motorcycle crashes can result in permanently disabling injuries or fatalities. This makes it important for motorcycle riders and other motorists to exercise care when they share the road. By following these safety tips, motorcyclists and motorists can reduce the risks of becoming involved in motorcycle collisions.
An Overview of Basic New York Motorcycle Laws New York bikers have a legal responsibility to comply with the various laws enacted by the state regarding the operation of motorcycles on streets and highways. The reality is that all types of motorists have a duty to comply with the law and to operate their respective vehicles in a reasonably safe manner. There is a set of basic New York motorcycle laws that bikers in the state should know and understand. New York Helmet Laws Admittedly, not all bikers are fully onboard with New York helmet laws. Whether you approve of these regulations or not, helmet laws are on the books in the Empire State. Simply, it is illegal in New York to drive or ride on a motorcycle without wearing an appropriate helmet. The state of New York defines an appropriate helmet as one that has been duly approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Lane Splitting Laws A rather commonplace practice of some motorcyclists is what is known as lane splitting. Other terms applying to this practice include lane filtering or strip lining. In basic terms, lane splitting is when a biker rides between two lanes of traffic. This technique is used to allow a biker to maneuver through other vehicles on a particular roadway. In New York, lane splitting is illegal. In fact, lane splitting is a misdemeanor in New York. Even a first-time conviction carries a potential penalty of up to 15 days in jail. Street Racing Laws The state of New York takes a dim view of motorcycle racing on public roadways. Depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding a particular incident of street racing, a biker or other type of motorist might be charged with a high-end misdemeanor or low-end felony. A conviction for street racing may result in a significant monetary penalty of up to $750. A conviction for this type of offense, if classified as a felony, could result in a 30-day jail sentence. New York Motorcycle Insurance Requirements New York has minimum insurance requirements that must be maintained by a biker. Motorcycle insurance coverage needs to include a minimum of $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 for death per individual. In addition, a motorcycle insurance policy must include minimum coverage of $10,000 for property damage. Bear in mind that these coverages represent the minimum amounts required by the state of New York in a motorcycle insurance policy. The reality is that the losses associated with a motorcycle accident can far exceed these minimum amounts in many instances. If you have any questions about New York motorcycle laws, or if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of someone else, you should proactively schedule an initial consultation with an experienced New York biker attorney. As a matter of common practice, a New York motorcycle lawyer charges no fee for an initial consultation and case evaluation.