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Despite Law, One in Three Motorcyclists Has No Safety Training
Many Florida motorcyclists have not taken a safety course, which may subject the riders to personal injuries in accidents.
December 03, 2011 /Law Enforcement PR News/ -- Required safety training for motorcyclists was introduced into Florida law in July 2008. Three years later, a survey by the American Automobile Association (AAA) reveals that 34 percent of the state's bikers - one in three - have yet to complete formal training in motorcycle safety.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 1,565 motorcyclists were killed in Florida between 1997 and 2002, before safety training was required. Ninety-five percent of those killed were "self taught" riders with no professional training.
Growing Popularity Makes Motorcycle Safety a Necessity
State statistics highlight the growing popularity of motorcycle riding in the Sunshine State as well as rising fatality rates. Motorcycle fatalities accounted for only five percent of all Florida traffic fatalities in 1997, but more than tripled to 17.8 in 2008 when safety measures went into effect, according to RideSmartFlorida.com. The following year, motorcycle fatalities dropped to 15.7 percent of all fatalities, a 24 percent decrease.
However, in 2009, fatalities and injuries among bikers aged 45 to 54 were higher than any other age group, and the median age for fatalities was 42 years old. These figures starkly reveal a safety gap between new and existing riders, particularly those who received motorcycle endorsements before the Basic Rider Course went into effect.
Training Program Promotes Safety Strategies
The Florida Rider Training Program emphasizes the importance of wearing helmets and other protective gear, while teaching defensive driving strategies that help bikers avoid obstacles, size up dangerous situations and ride safely in dense traffic.
"Upwards of 125,000 people will attend the 19th Annual Biketoberfest in Daytona this year, making it critical that everyone watches out for motorcycles on Florida's roadways," said Michele Harris, director, AAA Traffic Safety Culture in DaytonaSun.com. "Many riders have no safety training and are, unfortunately, at a greater risk of being involved in a crash. Additionally, with many motorcyclists electing not to wear a helmet, they're putting themselves in grave danger of tragic consequences."
Driver Awareness Helps Keep Motorcyclists Safe
To avoid an accident with a motorcycle:
- Double-check for oncoming motorcycles when turning left, a situation that heads the list among car and motorcycle crashes
- Check your car's blind spots before you merge into traffic or change lanes. Motorcycles are easy to miss
If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic accident involving a motorcycle, contact a personal injury attorney to review your options.
Article provided by Hale & Paulsen, P.A.
Visit us at www.yourtrialattorneys.com/
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