“Get Up to Speed” on reducing the number of motorcycle accidents. Learn more on how to drive safely around motorcycles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists accounted for nearly 14 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2015, while motorcycles make up just 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States. Even the smallest momentary lapse in a motorist attention can result in the serious injury or even death of an unseen motorcyclist. That means sending a short text, opening a soft drink or glancing back to check on a child could result in a serious life changing accident. Consider the following points to reduce your risk of injuring a motorcyclist; 1. Your car has blind spots. Properly adjust your mirrors. 2. Compensate for your cars blind spots by looking twice. 3. Motorcyclist stop quickly. Keep a good distance between your vehicle and a motorcycle. 4. Because of a motorcycles size it is more difficult to see them and more difficult to judge their distance. 5. Weaving in the lane by a motorcyclist is sometimes a tactic used by motorcyclist to gain your attention and to make sure drivers notice the motorcycle next to them. 6. Don’t Drive Distracted. Over half of all motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle. When the motorist is at fault the reason that the police often hear, “I just did not see the motorcycle.” 7. Speed is often present in fatal accidents. Speed is often the reason the driver just didn’t see the motorcyclist in front of them. Together we can reduce motorcycle fatalities. Share this with the young drivers in your life. Just this past weekend in our area serious motorcycle accidents occurred. Both Jacksonville and St Augustine roadways experienced collisions involving motorcycles and automobiles. Together we can reduce motorcycle fatalities. Share this with the young drivers in your life.

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