Aug 222010
 

Reprinted from WingWorld September 2010 – Sharon Stanley – Editor

I’ll begin with a story that highlights my first strong training experience-and then my first real encounter-with the need to keep an eye on the driver behind my vehicle while at stop lights, stop signs, etc.

For several years, I was the co-owner of a delivery route for one of the world’s larges package delivery companies. Before being certified to hit the road for this company, it required that all drivers undergo a driver training program. One of the key elements of this program was to constantly scan one’s mirrors-especially the rearview mirror.

During my training, I thanked my instructor for being so adamant about pointing out the need to scan the rearview mirror.  He then thanked me, noting that often times trainees complained about him grading them on their lack of checking the rearview mirror. “They’re supposed to be in control of their own vehicle,” he told me trainees would tell him. True, but does that matter if the end result is that your vehicle gets hit and-had you only checked your rearview-you might have been able to avoid a collision?

He then noted that trainees would sometimes ask him: “How often does a vehicle actually hit you from behind?” Hmmm, that had been my line years ago!

You see when I was 16, I had the opportunity to buy a particular model car very inexpensively from the people for whom I babysat. They even said they’d let me work off the payments so there wouldn’t be any actual cash out-of-pocket. Imagine my excitement! There I was, already enjoying the liberties of a driver’s license and I now had the chance to own my very own car. I was ecstatic. That is, until my father forbade the purchase.

He said that particular vehicle had been the center of controversy concerning rear end collisions. Over the past few years, several of these models had blown up when rear-ended, killing their occupants. “Aw, come on Dad,” I begged. “How often does that actually happen?” “No,” was all he said as he again handed me the keys to the old tank of a Chevy he occasionally let me borrow.

Well, two months later, I no longer questioned my dad’s wisdom. Sure enough, my friend and I were driving home from a day at the amusement park when-out of the clear blue (or so I thought)-a Jeep rear ended us with such force that it pushed that old Chevy’s trunk halfway up to the back window. I’d never seen the Jeep; I was such a young driver that I hadn’t even checked my rearview mirror as we sat at the light while the vehicle rapidly descended on us.

Now understand, I might not have been able to avoid that collision but that’s not the point. The point is that I didn’t even try to avoid the crash because I: 1) Didn’t believe a rear-end collision would ever occur; 2) Hadn’t yet learned and practiced ways to keep a safety margin around my vehicle; and 3) Didn’t keep an eye on my rearview mirror.

Over the years since then, I’ve thankfully avoided at least three dozen more incidents of being rear-ended. And, most thankfully, several of those times have been while on my bike. I believe I’ve avoided these crashes mainly by changing both my attitude and my driving habits.

So what do I do to at least try to avoid being rear-ended while at a stop light, stop sign, toll booth, etc.? Well, I:

1. Fully believe the vehicle behind me may hit me. (In fact, statistics reveal that rear-end collisions are the most common form of vehicle crashes; about 2.5 million occur each year in the U.S.). I always believe it can happen to me.
2. Always try to leave myself an “out”- a cushion of space that will leave as much of a safety margin as possible so I have both the time and open area in which to react.  This includes leaving plenty of space between my bike and the vehicle in front of me or the open intersection in front of me (if I’m first up at a stop sign/stop light, etc.).
3. Take notice of any possible “outs” to my left and/or right. If possible when stopping, I position myself in a lane where I have at least one other” out” [besides the one in front of me).
4. Ride in staggered formation when riding with another motorcyclist(s).
5. Scan my surroundings and prepare for how I’ll react if rear-ended.
6. Keep my bike in gear (with the clutch pulled in, of course and my right hand only lightly on the brake lever) so I can readily hit the throttle if necessary, I do this until the vehicle behind me (and several more if there is a line of them) has come to a complete stop.
7. lf I am uncomfortable with the lack of space between the vehicle behind me and my bike, I indicate that to the driver via a hand signal for him/her to stop (stay put) as I move slightly forward.
8. Frequently check my rearview mirrors to see if the car immediately behind me is drifting forward or if there is a vehicle further back that is approaching too fast and may cause a “domino effect” collision.

Hopefully these-and any other safety measures you use-will help keep us all safer as motorcyclists, even as other drivers become ever more distracted.

I hadn’t ever planned on this subject being the topic of an editorial. But I was recently reminded of the need to keep an eye on the driver behind me so as to try to avoid a rear-end collision.

Most Members who have been riding for several decades obviously know to scan their rearview mirrors frequently and to keep an adequate safety margin, but it bears repeating since more and more drivers these days are driving while distracted.

Jul 282010
 

Kay Zetkin – April 22, 2005

Safety in riding motorcycles in order to prevent injuries is a very critical issue especially during the peak of motorcycle season. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons is very much concerned about this issue since there are almost always a lot of motorcycle accidents happening, at least one every few days. Most injuries noted from the people brought in the Level One Trauma Units range from serious musculoskeletal injuries, open fractures and head traumas from motorcycle accidents.

The increasing accidents are linked to the increased number of motorcycles on the road. Records show that since 1997, motorcycles sales increased by more than 90%. Last 2001, motorcycles represented only 2.2 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States and accounted for 0.34 percent of vehicle miles traveled. However, crashes involving motorcycles accounted for 7.6 percent of total traffic fatalities on America’s roadways. As recently reported by the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2002 there were 42,815 fatalities from motorcycle accidents. What’s alarming is this is the highest level of fatality report since 1990.

While some accidents cause injuries or lifetime paralysis, some result in fatalities. Thus, these incidents should be a constant reminder for motorcyclists to protect themselves.

According to Maureen Finnegan, MD, professor at the University of Texas and orthopedic surgeon at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, most motorcycle injuries involve the extremities and the spinal cord. Majority of fatalities are results of head injuries. Thus, she said that the most important tip for motorcycle safety is to wear a helmet. Wearing helmets are estimated to be 29 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries and 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries for motorcyclists. Another thing is the wearing of proper clothing in riding and of course, really learning how to ride a motorcycle and handle certain situations throughout the ride.

Here are other helpful tips in preventing motorcycle injuries:
 

  • Get professionally trained in motorcycle riding. Research shows that more than 90 percent of all riders that were involved in crashes are just self-taught or taught by friends.
  • Secure your license to drive. Nearly 27 percent or one out of four motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in 2001 was not properly licensed.
  • Do not drink and ride. Those most at risk in getting into accidents are inebriated motorcyclists.
  • Use helmets that meet the DOT (Department of Transportation) standards.
  • Wear protective clothing this includes goggles or sun shades for eye protection, jacket, full- fingered gloves, long pants and over-the-ankle boots.
  • Make sure that your motorcycle clothing and gears are made of abrasion-resistant material, such as leather. Avoid loose, flailing clothing that could impair your vision.
  • Wearing brightly colored garments may help other vehicles see/notice you.
  • Proper maintenance and monitoring of your bike is of high importance. Observe proper lane positioning of your bike to further increase your visibility to drivers. Keeping a “space cushion” between your bike and other traffic should also be kept in mind.
  • Avoid sharing a lane with a car since its driver may not expect you to be there or may not become aware of your presence. Most drivers look out for other bigger vehicles and they may fail to notice you instantly unless something has happened already. 

Ride according to your skill level.  Never overestimate yourself.