The police-drawn diagrams of car-motorcycle or car-bicycle accidents never look very hopeful: a boxy looking sketch represents the car; nearby in the street is a stick-figure representing the motorcyclist or bicyclist.
Many times, the reports note that the operator of a car — still accustomed to winter driving — didn’t anticipate seeing a motorcyclist or a bicyclist.
The point that needs to be made is simple. It’s spring, beware of those two-wheeled vehicles. Both motorcyclists and bicyclists have the right to expect safe passage on city and county streets.
There has been good news lately concerning accidents. In 2009, traffic fatalities were at the lowest (33,963 were recorded) level since 1954, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In other studies, generally, motorcycle fatalities represent 11 percent of all highway fatalities yet motorcycles account for 3 percent of all registered vehicles. The reason is rather elementary: motorcycles have little protection in a crash.
While progress has been made in reducing fatalities among passenger vehicle occupants, motorcycle fatalities have been rising since 1997. They are commonly referred to the USA’s greatest highway traffic safety challenge.
As more drivers turn to motorcycles, Indiana has also seen an increase in fatal collisions, as recently as through 2008.
Motorcyclists know that safety tips can always be found at the informative and up-to-date www.abateofindiana.org. Bicycle safety tips can be located at the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Web Site through its Bicycle and Pedestrian Program. Look for the bicycle safety activity kit. Basically, bicyclists should wear a properly fitting helmet; don’t wear headphones; wear bright clothes to be seen better, and avoid loose clothing or shoelaces that can get caught in the chain.
Drivers of other vehicles can go to these sites, too.
But, as spring takes off today, one cautionary reminder is that the season is to be enjoyed by all drivers, passengers and walkers. Avoid being named on an accident report. Be aware.
