| Safety advice for motorcycle riders to avoid | | | | |
| accidents | | | | If you drive safely and concentrate on what |
| | | | | you’re doing you are unlikely to have any bad |
| | | | | experiences. |
| Motorcycles account for a worryingly high percentage | | | | |
| of the traffic accidents that happen every year on | | | | If, unfortunately, you do have an accident though, |
| Britain’s roads. | | | | there are some things you can do to minimise the |
| More people own and ride motorbikes now than ever | | | | results. |
| before and with so many riders on the road, safety | | | | |
| has never been more important; not just for the | | | | Make certain you are wearing the most appropriate |
| riders but for other drivers encountering them on the | | | | helmet. It must fit securely and be fastened properly. |
| roads. | | | | If you are injured try to avoid removing your helmet |
| | | | | until the paramedics arrive or you receive other |
| Accident statistics where motorbikes were involved | | | | medical advice as sometimes you could do damage |
| have decreased in the past few years, particularly | | | | to your neck and spine. |
| those resulting in fatalities, but it is still vitally | | | | Wear the right clothes. Motorcycle clothing is specially |
| important to make sure you’re being as a safe | | | | designed to minimise any injury if you have an |
| and responsible on the roads as you can be. | | | | accident. If you skid across a gravel road at high |
| | | | | speed, you will want good quality clothing protecting |
| So let’s go through some of the most important | | | | your skin. |
| points of motorcycle safety. | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Firstly, the most important thing to remember is to | | | | Call for medical attention immediately if you are able. |
| use common sense. | | | | Never just leave it to chance. Make sure you are |
| Remember the earliest lesson you learned; keep your | | | | checked over properly and given the all clear. |
| eyes and concentration on the road. Make sure | | | | |
| you’re always aware of the other drivers on the | | | | It might also be a good idea to invest in some extra |
| road, keep your eyes on where they are and how | | | | advanced lessons specifically detailing the best ways |
| far away they are from you and just generally stay | | | | to cope in an accident situation. You can learn skid |
| sharp when you’re in traffic. | | | | control and how best to handle your bike if you fall. |
| So many accidents involving motorcycles are caused | | | | While extra lessons are not mandatory for passing |
| by other drivers not paying attention and not noticing | | | | your test, they could teach you the difference |
| you and your bike. Of course it is their responsibility | | | | between life and death, so they are worth the extra |
| to keep their eyes open too but if they don’t | | | | effort. |
| pay attention and they miss you, then it becomes | | | | |
| your problem. | | | | If you do experience an accident and it wasn’t |
| | | | | your fault, don’t be afraid to get the police |
| Another big issue is increasing your visibility, especially | | | | involved, especially if it was down to serious |
| when riding at night. Wear reflective clothing such as | | | | negligence on the part of another driver. |
| high visibility strips and keep your lights on at all times. | | | | You could also be entitled to compensation which |
| Make it as easy as possible for other drivers to see | | | | might be much needed in paying medical bills or |
| and avoid you. | | | | keeping you going if you are unable to work. |
| | | | | |
| Keep control of your bike. Don’t drive at | | | | The most basic rule in motorcycle safety though is, |
| excessive speeds especially when taking corners and | | | | again, common sense. If we all just look out for |
| driving in the dark. Keep a stable and sturdy position | | | | ourselves and the other drivers on the road we can |
| on your bike to avoid slipping or being thrown off. | | | | all help prevent accidents. |