Safe In 60: Watch Out For Motorcyclists
May 25, 2020, 12:06 PM | Updated: 2:30 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the 100 deadliest days on Utah roads. In this week’s Safe in Sixty, we’re talking about one of the most vulnerable motorists on the road – motorcyclists.
Over the past few weeks we have seen more vehicles on the road, and more crashes.
Motorcycle crashes aren’t more common than other crashes, but they are more dangerous for riders.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than people in passenger cars.
Last year, 34 riders died on Utah roads.
Intersections are the most likely place for the motorcycle crash, and most of these are caused by the other driver failing to see the motorcycle until it’s too late.
Some things to remember about motorcycle safety:
- Because of their small size, they are harder to see in your blind spot.
- It is hard to judge the distance of a motorcycle approaching an intersection. If there is a question, wait until it passes.
- They can stop in a shorter distance than a passenger vehicle. Give them extra space. If they have to slam on the brakes, you may not be able to stop in time.
- Lane filtering became legal in 2019, so watch for them when stopped at an intersection.
Drivers, take an extra few seconds to watch for motorcycles. A lapse of judgment may be just a dent to you, but it could mean their life.
Motorcycle riders: wear visible clothing, make sure your headlight is on, and please wear a helmet.