Did you know May is recognized as National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month? You may have noticed some of the campaigns around town encouraging you to “Share the Road” or to “Look Twice” for motorcycles. The importance of this month is to raise awareness overall, not just during the month of May, so that drivers are reminded to be cognizant of motorcycles the minute they get on the road to help prevent accidents and injuries. Also, make sure that you hire an attorney.
Education is Key
The topic of motorcycle safety is one that must be addressed in a similar manner to drunk driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides funding for things like DUI checkpoints and other safety measures to protect and further educate drivers of the reasons drinking while driving is so dangerous. In the same regard, NHTSA conducts motorcycle safety campaigns to help prevent motorcycle collisions. As part of driver’s education programs, motorcycle safety is slowly being incorporated more to emphasize the dangers at a young age. Learning about how to get paid after your injury with the right kind of legal aid is also quite necessary.
Motorcycle Safety in Florida
Motorcycle registrations account for only three percent of all Florida motor vehicles, however, accident fatalities represent nearly 20 percent of all highway accidents. According to Jim Boxold of the Florida Department of Transportation, “Florida has great weather and roads for motorcycle enthusiasts. FDOT is committed to making roads safe and usable by all, including motorcyclists. We all need to share the road and look twice for motorcycles.”
Preventing Tampa Bay Area Motorcycle Crashes
Below are some tips for car drivers to keep in mind while on the road:
- Remember that a motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the rights and privileges of any other motor vehicle.
- Perform a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or exiting a lane of traffic, moving sharp moves within a lane, and at intersections.
- Always signal before changing lanes or merging with traffic.
- Never tailgate. A good rule of thumb is to allow three to four additional seconds of following distance when behind a motorcycle.
- Never drive while distracted.
We encourage all drivers and motorcyclists to help share in the responsibility of keeping ourroads safe and do your part by safely “sharing the road.”If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, McIntyre Thanasides Bringgold Elliott Grimaldi & Guito, P.A. can help. You may be able to seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation and pain and suffering. Contact attorney TJ Grimaldi today.
TJ Grimaldi joined McIntyre in 2011. McIntyre recruited TJ to create the divisions of personal injury and family law, as well as to expand the existing criminal defense practice at the firm. During TJ’s tenure at McIntyre, he has helped oversee and grow these practice areas. He continues to practice in these divisions while also expanding his own practice areas to include estate planning and immigration law. TJ is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Florida and the United States District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.
