Have you seen those electronic billboards across Texas, cautioning you to look twice for motorcyclists? Well, the reason for the emphasis on motorcycle safety is that in addition to May being National Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month, TxDOT is also running their own "Share The Road" campaign to encourage motorists to pay greater attention to two-wheeled fellow road users.
There are over 960,000 motorcyclists in Texas, which makes up about one percent of all the traffic in Texas, yet motorcyclists are involved in 14 percent of all wrecks. As a Tarrant County personal injury attorney who has been helping injured bikers for 20 years, I know that it's extremely rare that the motorcyclist is at fault. With the number of Texan bikers expected to double by 2015, encouraging all motorists to pay greater attention to their surroundings and to other vehicles is particularly timely.
The slogan for TxDOT's campaign is "Seeing Them Is Saving Them." Given the current distracted driving epidemic, this is extraordinarily appropriate. Any time a driver fails to give their complete attention to the road, their surroundings and the safe operation of their vehicle, they are causing a hazard both to themselves and others. Since motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable and not as noticeable as cars and trucks, we all need to make sure we are extra alert to avoid a collision.
Here are a few important points to remember which could potentially save a motorcyclist's life:
• Always look twice to be sure
• Be respectful of all road users
• Give them space
• Anticipate potential hazards before they occur.
That's great advice for safe driving anyway!
Mark Anderson is a board certified bike wreck lawyer and author of the book Roadmap To Winning Your Texas Motorcycle Accident Case. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a traffic collision which was not your fault, call now for a free consultation on your case. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.
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