Motorcycle Safety a Key Concern at Bike Week in Daytona Beach

Central Florida has seen an influx of bikers this week as Bike Week returns to the Sunshine State. The 10-day motorcycle rally which began on March 7th is expected to bring in 1.5 million visitors this year. Law enforcement and safety organizations are urging bikers and motorists to look out for one another while sharing the roadways.

There were 457 motorcycle fatalities in Florida in 2012, and four of them happened during Bike Week. Over more than sixty years of the event’s history, each one has resulted in at least one fatality. 

Motorists are urged to drive with extra caution to help make this year’s event safe. Officials are also reminding bikers to avoid drinking and riding. Statistics show that 30 percent of motorcycle fatalities are the result of alcohol. The NHTSA urges motorcycle riders to ride smart and sober.

Update: Daytona Bike Week Accidents (2022) 

This year, the following Daytona Bike Week 2022 deaths and injuries occurred: 6 fatal crashes, and 88 trauma accidents. Although drivers are usually advised to take extra precautions around motorcycle riders during Bike Week, some of these fatal accidents, unfortunately, resulted from collisions with other vehicles. One of these was a crash between a pickup truck and a 20-year-old motorcyclist who was reportedly riding over the speed limit. Below, we’ll cover safety tips that can help you, as a driver, protect yourself and others on the road. 

The Biggest Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are known to be deadly, and Florida is exceptional in its reputation for them, having one of the highest motorcycle accident fatality rates in the country. 

As with operating any moving vehicle, motorcycle riding activities require attention, skill, and good driving habits to avoid risking accidents and injuries. Some of the most common contributing factors to motorcycle crashes are: 

Alcohol Use

The CDC reported that in 2012, 29% of motorcycle accidents involved riders with a blood alcohol content (BAC) over the legal limit. Alcohol impairs a driver’s ability to focus, react, and respond to external stimuli. Other substances, including medication and illegal drugs, can also negatively affect crucial abilities and lead to increased risk for accidents. 

Roadway Conditions and Mechanical Problems

Adverse weather conditions and roadways in states of disrepair can make a motorcycle accident more likely to happen. Two-wheeled vehicles are more likely to encounter resistance against potholes and other obstacles, which can in turn cause them to fishtail or veer off the road. Coupled with that are potential mechanical failures, such as faulty brakes, that can create disastrous conditions for riders. 

Other Drivers

Motorcycles lack the protection of seatbelts, airbags, and protective interior cabins, making a collision with other vehicles much more dangerous. “T-bone collisions” can be some of the most deadly of these, and result in numerous motorcycle fatalities every year. Additionally, motorcycles’ lack of visibility can often mean that they disappear in a driver’s blind spot, creating further risk. 

Practice Safe Driving Habits Around Motorcycles

As a driver, you’ll want to do everything possible to ensure that you practice good driving techniques to promote the safety of motorcyclists, during Daytona Beach Bike Week and every other time of the year. 

Below are some safety tips for sharing the road with motorcyclists:

• Be aware that motorcycles can easily disappear in your blind spot or be hidden behind objects such as signs, trees, or other vehicles.
• Allow a greater following distance. Motorcycles may not brake when slowing down, so you cannot depend on seeing brake lights like on vehicles.
• Many motorcycle turn signals are not self-canceling, so do not assume that they are turning.
• Stay alert to the motorcyclist’s movement in traffic. They may change their position in a lane to improve their visibility or avoid unsafe road conditions.
• It may be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed and distance because of its size. To account for this, assume the motorcycle is closer than it appears when entering an intersection.
• Wet surfaces or other road conditions may make it more difficult for motorcyclists to stop so allow for a greater following distance in bad weather, construction zones, etc.

Related Resources

• Bay 9 News
• Examiner.com

Have A Safe Bike Week

Motorcyclists are at an increased risk of injury because they lack the protection of seatbelts, airbags, and the steel frame of a car. They are also less likely to receive the proper compensation for their injuries. Settling a motorcycle injury claim can be difficult, even with legal help.

At the Law Firm of Michael T. Gibson, P.A., we are experienced in handling motorcycle injury claims and are your first ally in the battle for compensation after a serious motorcycle accident. If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident, it is important that you contact an experienced Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyer immediately. Our experienced team of accident attorneys can help you obtain compensation for medical bills, future medical treatment, loss of wages, pain and suffering, etc. Feel free to fill out our quick contact form on our website to discuss your legal options in greater detail.