| Never drive if you are not a licensed motorcycle | | | | other cars there that you could crash into. |
| driver. This is first, and foremost in my list of safe | | | | MOTORCYCLE HELMET |
| motorcycle riding practices. You see, when you are a | | | | Statistics show that one out of five motorcycle |
| licensed driver, one way or the other, you must have | | | | crashes result to head or neck injuries. This same |
| gone through the necessary trainings and tests to | | | | statistics also show that properly worn DOT |
| ensure that you are qualified to drive a motorcycle. | | | | approved helmets have greatly reduced injuries in the |
| Here's a rundown of my motorcycle-riding safety tips: | | | | head and neck among motorcycle riders. |
| 1. No license, no driving. | | | | Never be so complacent that since you're just going |
| 2. Wear a motorcycle helmet every time you ride a | | | | to buy some six-pack from a nearby neighborhood |
| motorcycle, either as the driver or as the passenger. | | | | convenience store, you won't wear a helmet |
| 3. Wear appropriate clothing. Motorcycle jacket, | | | | anymore. Let's refer to statistics again: they show |
| motorcycle gloves, and motorcycle googles are highly | | | | that most motorcycle crashes on short trips (about 5 |
| recommended. | | | | miles or less from point of origin) and most of these |
| 4. Don't drink and drive. | | | | crashes registered slow driving (less than 30mph) |
| NO LICENSE, NO DRIVING | | | | when the accident happened. |
| Beginners, those who are still learning to drive, and | | | | APPROPRIATE CLOTHING AND MOTORCYCLE |
| especially those who have just learned to drive, are | | | | ACCESSORIES |
| the most aggressive drivers. However, it must be | | | | A motorcycle is a good excuse for a different |
| noted that motorcycle driving could be a complex | | | | fashion statement. However, it is for your own |
| process of coordinating your balance, processing | | | | safety if your main consideration in your attire when |
| what you see, being able to decide what to do, and | | | | driving one, is safety instead of fashion. Invest in a |
| act accordingly. | | | | good motorcycle jacket. The leather ones are a |
| Professional drivers or seasoned drivers do all these | | | | classic and never go out of fashion and save you |
| things at the same time. They can react based on | | | | from ultraviolet exposure from the sun, too. While at |
| reflex action. The newbies' expected reaction to | | | | it, a good pair of motorcycle goggles would not only |
| some impending crash or accident would simply to | | | | make you look cooler, it would also protect your |
| freeze, jerk, or squeeze the throttle instead of | | | | eyes from dust, insects, and wind. |
| releasing it and gripping and stepping on the brakes. | | | | DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE |
| It would be for safety measures then that those | | | | Your responses become slower, your judgment |
| who are still trying to learn or have just learned, and | | | | becomes questionable, you become bolder, and most |
| still doesn't posses a valid driver's license must secure | | | | of all, DUI or driving under the influence is illegal. No |
| one, and must always be accompanied by a licensed | | | | amount of motorcycle gloves, motorcycle helmets, |
| adult. Refrain from practicing in populated streets or | | | | motorcycle jackets, and other motorcycle |
| where there are a lot of other vehicles. The parking | | | | accessories could save you from severe injuries that |
| lot would also be a bad idea. There are just a lot of | | | | could happen when you drink and drive. |