Georgia motorcycles

Published on: November 17, 2021

Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program Receives Much-Needed Boost

The Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program does important work in educating riders of every level and motorists about safety. Recently, the program received a significant boost through a substantial funding grant.

The Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program is an initiative by the Georgia Department of Driver Services, and is focused on providing motorcycle safety awareness and training programs to riders across the state. The Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program recommends motorcycle training for motorcyclists before they begin riding. You can find approved providers for the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program near you.

Training is a vital component of motorcycle safety, and if you are a new motorcycle rider, it is recommended that you take a training course before you start riding. Apart from training, the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program also focuses its efforts on conducting rider education and awareness programs for both motorcyclists and motorists across the state of Georgia.

Published on: September 30, 2021

Georgia Motorcyclists Form a Significant Percentage of Traffic Fatalities

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Motorcyclists in Georgia form a small percentage of the total number of registered motor vehicles in the state, but account for a significantly higher number of fatalities every year. This unfortunately should not come as a surprise as a collision between a motorcycle and another vehicle usually results in serious or fatal injuries to the motorcyclist given the lack of outer vehicle protection.

In July, the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety released new data for motorcycle accidents across the state. The data is based on traffic accident statistics in Georgia in 2019. The data finds that motorcyclists form just a small percentage of motor vehicle accidents in the state, accounting for just 1 percent of all motor vehicle crashes. However, they form 11 percent of traffic accident deaths and 21 percent of all driver deaths.

According to the data, the North Georgia area, which encompasses the metropolitan Atlanta region, accounts for the majority of all motorcycle crashes in Georgia. The metro Atlanta region specifically accounts for the highest share of all motorcycle accidents in the state.

Published on: January 14, 2021

Are you Aware of These Georgia Motorcycle Safety Laws?

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

If you are a motorcyclist in Atlanta, it is a must for you to be aware of all the laws that govern the operation of motorcycles in the state of Georgia to ensure that you are not putting yourself at risk of an accident.

Georgia is one of several states in the country that have helmet laws in place. It is mandatory to wear helmets when you are riding a motorcycle here, regardless of your age or experience level. Whether you are an amateur or an experienced motorcyclist, you must be helmeted while operating a motorcycle. The only exception to the rule may be persons operating motorcycles that are used for agricultural purposes, or those operating motorized carts, or enclosed two-wheel vehicles.

There are reasons why most states like Georgia have chosen to make helmets mandatory. A recent study in Michigan found that after the state repealed its motorcycle helmet laws, the number of motorcyclists whose organs were donated increased three-fold. In fact, hospital trauma centers have a name for motorcycles whose riders don’t wear helmets – “donorcycles.” That grim term clearly indicates the high risk that you have of becoming a fatal accident victim and organ donor when you ride a motorcycle without a helmet and suffer fatal traumatic brain injuries.

Published on: February 9, 2020

Georgia DOT Offers Motorcycle Safety Programs

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The year’s busiest motorcycling season is just around the corner, and the Georgia Department of Transportation is taking steps to ensure that residents of the metro Atlanta region and around the state stay safe on the streets.

The Georgia Department of Transportation recently reminded Atlanta residents about its motorcycle safety training courses for residents. The announcement was made via an official press release which states that the agency is offering special programs for beginner riders, as well experienced riders who could use a refresher course for their skills.

One course is especially designed for beginner riders. The program will target not just motorcyclists, but also persons riding mopeds and scooters. The program called the BasicRider course is especially suitable for persons who are new to riding on two wheels, one of the most risky forms of traveling on the roads. Motorcycling is a thrilling activity, but it’s also one of the most dangerous and risky. Beginner motorcyclists who take to the streets on their brand new set of wheels, without having undergone a basic rider safety training program are at a higher risk of being involved in a serious or potentially fatal accident. The BasicRider program aims to equip novice or amateur riders with the skills and training they need to safely navigate Atlanta’s busy streets. The BasicRider program also includes free motorcycles and helmets provided to students.

Published on: December 5, 2018

Safe motorcycling tips for the winter.

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Not surprisingly, riding a motorcycle during the winter can be difficult as the weather can make visibility and road conditions more difficult and unsafe to be on a motorcycle. However, if you simply cannot take a break from motorcycling during the next few months, take steps to keep yourself as safe as possible.

Some of the biggest challenges involved in riding during the winter have to do with the poor visibility and the biting cold that can make handling a motorcycle very challenging. The roads may be slick and wet or covered with salt, creating slippery conditions that can increase the risk of skidding and being in an accident. Even though Georgia doesn’t get much snow, there are many days and nights where the roads in the Atlanta area are covered in black ice making riding especially dangerous.

To prevent the severe cold from reducing your ability to handle your ride, dress for the weather. Numb and sore fingers and stiff joints are a definite risk during winter riding. Dress in warm and dry clothing that keeps you as comfortable as possible. Waterproof boots and gloves are an absolute must – these will keep your feet and hands dry and comfortable. You are also much more likely to be able to quickly take emergency steps to prevent an accident when your hands and feet are protected from the cold. Use plenty of insulated layers, long – sleeved tops and windproof pants to avoid the cold from cramping your riding style.

Published on: October 11, 2011

Increase in Motorcycle Accidents in Metro Atlanta

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers have been concerned about a spike in motorcycle accidents on metro Atlanta highways recently.Just last week, a motorcyclist was fatally injured in an accident involving his motorcycle and a tractor-trailer.The truck accident occurred in Gwinnett County, and has been blamed on an airborne tire tread from the tractor-trailer.

According to police, the thirty-five-year-old motorcyclist was riding his vehicle in the left lane of northbound I-85 when his motorcycle struck the tire tread.The impact caused the motorcyclist to lose control.He was lying in the center lane of the highway, and in the path of an oncoming 18- wheeler.The truck driver did not see him, and ran over him.He was rushed to the Gwinnett Medical Center, but died.

This is the most recent in a series of motorcycle accidents that have left Atlanta personal injury lawyers very concerned.In recent months, according to police officers, there have been at least half a dozen motorcyclists killed in accidents in metro Atlanta highways.In August, a motorcyclist was killed in an accident involving two vehicles.He had been riding a Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle, when his motorcycle was struck by two vehicles on I-75 near Cobb County.He sustained fatal injuries.Police believe that the accident was caused by a Porsche driver who fled the scene of the accident.Both the driver and his passenger were located by police about two weeks later.

Published on: September 14, 2011

Atlanta Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

An Atlanta motorcyclist was killed last month in an accident that occurred when a motorist turned into his path.According to the Georgia State Patrol, the motorist was driving under the influence of alcohol. The accident occurred in Paulding County.The man was riding on his motorcycle when the intoxicated driver turned into the path of the motorcycle.The man was thrown off his motorcycle, and sustained fatal injuries.The motorist has been arrested, and faces charges of driving under the influence, vehicular homicide in the first degree and failure to heed. Of course, he will also likely face a civil suit for wrongful death.

Even as the numbers of people killed in auto accidents in the United States have declined over the past few years, the numbers of people being killed in motorcycle accidents has remained more or less steady.In 2010, federal auto safety agencies recorded the first drop in motorcycle accident fatalities in more than eleven years.The decline was slight, but was encouraging to Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers who have been very concerned about the fact that motorcycle fatalities have remained high over the past decade.However, the decline in fatalities was too low to mean any major change in the attitude towards motorcycle safety in the country.

In 1981, the groundbreaking Hurt Report was published, and outlined the major factors involved in motorcycle accidents in the United States.The study had been sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.The Hurt Report was published during a time of high accident fatality numbers involving motorcyclists. One of the findings of the Hurt Report was that most motorcycle accidents are caused by motorists who fail to yield right-of-way to a motorcyclist.

Published on: May 26, 2011

New Georgia Law Designed to reduce the number of Bicycle and Motorcycle Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

With increasing gas prices and unrelenting traffic congestion plaguing the state, many Georgians are finding it’s more economically savvy (and healthy, besides) to travel by bicycle or motorcycle in lieu of automobile. Unfortunately, this trend towards cycling is also resulting in an increased number of accidents involving cyclists and their impatient motorist counterparts. In fact, according to the Georgia Office of Highway Safety, in 2008, 12 percent of the people killed in motor vehicle crashes in Georgia were motorcycle drivers — the highest motorcycle fatality count within 15 years. As an Atlanta injury lawyer, I know that this number is only the tip of the iceberg since a significant number of serious injuries result from motorcycle accidents every year.

This is a growing problem in Georgia, where in 2008 motorcycle driver deaths has increased by 59 percent since 2004. As a remedy, Governor Nathan Deal signed into law last week a bill aimed to protect them, while simultaneously granting respite to sympathetic drivers who nevertheless feel a modicum of nervousness when inching by a motorcycle or bicycle.

House Bill 101 requires drivers to give cyclists at least 3 feet of space. Before last week, motorists had only to maintain an arguably ambiguous “safe distance” when passing. Now, those same motorists will have to actually cross the yellow line to comply with the law.

Published on: April 8, 2011

Motorcyclists in Atlanta and throughout Georgia at Risk from Car Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Most motorcycle accidents occur in the daytime and at intersections, and can usually be linked to motorist failure to see the motorcyclist in time.As an Atlanta injury lawyer, I find that some of the most serious and debilitating injuries arise out of motorcycle accidents. A motorcyclist is far more likely to be injured in an auto accident than a passenger in a car. As the year’s biking season kicks off, Georgia motorcycle accident attorneys would advise motorists to exercise extra caution.

Georgia’s motorcyclists will enjoy the warm spring weather, after what has been at times, a horribly cruel winter.The weather being as pleasant as it is, motorists can expect not just local Georgia motorcyclists, but also motorcyclists from neighboring states on their way to southern destinations.However, with the increase in motorcyclists, comes an increased risk of accidents.Biking season is the right time to remind drivers that most motorcycle accidents are caused by motorists and drivers of other vehicles, and not motorcyclists.

In Georgia at least, we have noticed a trend of blaming motorcyclists every time there’s an accident involving these riders.Most people are quick to assume that it’s motorcyclists who disobey traffic laws, ride too fast, and try stunts on the motorcycle.Nothing could be further from the truth.Most motorcyclists are aware that any foolish behavior can have devastating consequences for them, and not so much for the occupants of the other vehicle involved in the crash.

Published on: March 28, 2011

New Safety Initiatives to Prevent Motorcycle Accidents in Atlanta and throughout Georgia

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety has begun implementing motorcycle safety checkpoints, as part of a program in an effort to prevent motorcycle accidents. Some of the most serious injuries and deaths often result from motorcycle accidents. Although motorcycles certainly need to be well maintained, these accidents are more often caused by drivers of cars who are not watching out for motorcycles. It would probably be more effective use of resources if the Department used their limited resources to commence a campaign to educate drivers to watch out for motorcycles and bicycles.

As part of the campaign that is being launched, the Georgia Department of Public Safety will conduct a total of six motorcycle checkpoints between 1 March 2011 and December 31, 2012.The first checkpoint of 2011 was held earlier this month along Interstate 75 and along Interstate 95.Motorcyclists traveling along any of the highways that have been marked for checkpoints will find signs that require them to exit at an inspection station.

The campaign is being funded by a $70,000 grant by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Officers will be specifically looking to see if motorcycle drivers have licenses, and if they’re wearing helmets.They will also be checking to see that motorcycles are in good operating condition, and will specifically be looking out for bad tires, broken or malfunctioning headlights and tail lights.According to the Department of Public Safety, the checkpoints won’t be a major hindrance, and the average motorcyclist who is riding with a proper license, and is helmeted, will find that the delay lasts just about a minute.