AUSTIN – One night in April 2021, Eric Newell was out for a trip in Houston when his motorbike was rear-ended by a automobile, breaking each of his legs, dislocating his hips and injuring his again and palms. He is only one of two,318 Texas motorcyclists severely injured in crashes final 12 months.
Crashes like Newell’s are one purpose why the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is observing National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May, reminding drivers to be additional vigilant round riders and to provide them additional house and consideration on the state’s roadways.
“On average, at least one motorcycle rider dies every day in a crash on our streets and highways,” mentioned TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “Each of these riders is a husband or wife, someone’s son or daughter, brother or sister or mother or father. As more and more motorcyclists take to the road to enjoy the beautiful Texas scenery and warmer weather, it’s crucial that drivers remain alert and look out for people riding motorcycles.”
TxDOT’s annual “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” marketing campaign calls consideration to the security precautions motorists should take to guard motorcyclists. State officers report that 519 motorbike riders died in motorcar crashes in 2021, a 7% improve over the earlier 12 months. And although bikes comprise lower than 2% of autos in Texas, they accounted for 12% of the fatalities in 2021.
In 2021, the variety of motorbike site visitors crashes in the Amarillo District totaled 141. These crashes resulted in 10 motorcyclist (operators and passengers) deaths and 59 motorcyclists being severely injured. In 2021, the variety of motorbike site visitors crashes in Amarillo (metropolis) totaled 88. These crashes resulted in 6 motorcyclist (operators and passengers) deaths and 29 motorcyclists being severely injured.
TxDOT provides these life-saving security ideas for drivers to guard motorcyclists and forestall crashes:
Take additional care when making a left flip. Always assume bikes are nearer than they seem and keep away from handing over entrance of an oncoming motorbike.
Pay particular consideration at intersections. A 3rd of bike fatalities occur at roadway intersections.
Give driving your full consideration. Even a momentary distraction, reminiscent of answering a telephone name or altering the radio station, can have lethal penalties.
Look twice when altering lanes. Check mirrors, test blind spots, and at all times use flip indicators.
Give motorcyclists room when passing them. Move over to the passing lane and don’t crowd the motorcyclist’s full lane.
Stay again. If you’re behind a motorbike, at all times keep a secure following distance. When a motorcyclist downshifts as an alternative of making use of the brake to decelerate, it may catch drivers off guard since there aren’t any brake lights to sign lowered velocity.
Slow down. Obey posted velocity limits and drive to situations.
The “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” marketing campaign is a key part of #FinishTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer selections behind the wheel, like carrying a seat belt, driving the velocity restrict, avoiding distractions, and by no means driving underneath the affect of alcohol or different medicine. November 7, 2000, was the final deathless day on Texas roadways. #FinishTheStreakTX asks all Texans to decide to driving safely to assist finish the streak of each day deaths on Texas roadways.