motorcycle accident prevention Tag Archives

Published on: February 8, 2024

Studies Call for Improved Auto Accident Protection Systems for Trucks and Motorcycles

Auto accident prevention technologies like forward collision warning systems do a very good job of reducing the risk of auto accidents involving passenger vehicles, but may not be as effective in preventing motorcycle accidents and trucking accidents.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently released the findings of two new studies which found that forward collision warning systems and automatic emergency braking systems are very beneficial in reducing the risk of car accidents involving passenger vehicles, but not as effective in preventing accidents involving motorcycles and trucks. The studies focused on more than 160,000 auto accidents involving passenger vehicles, large trucks and motorcycles.

According to the studies, these systems can help reduce the risk of rear-ender auto accidents involving passenger vehicles by as much as 53%. However, they were found to reduce the risk of accidents involving large commercial trucks by only 38% and motorcycle accidents by 41%. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as many as 5,500 lives could be saved every year if auto accident prevention systems were enhanced to make them more effective in identifying and reducing the risk of colliding with large tractor trailers. An additional 500 lives could be saved in motorcycle accidents if these technologies could be improved to help identify motorcycles that are notoriously harder to identify for motorists.

Published on: January 1, 2024

Experts Call for ABS on All Motorcycles to Prevent Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Calls for the United States to mandate automatic braking systems on all motorcycles in order to prevent accidents are growing louder. This country remains one of the very few developed nations that do not require this technology on all motorcycles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is petitioning the federal government to mandate automated braking systems on all motorcycles in order to prevent accidents. This is the second time that the organization petitioned the federal government on this matter. The first time was more than a decade ago, and since then, according to the organization, more than 27 nations, including Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Brazil, India and several members of the European Union, have mandated these technologies on all motorcycles.

Automatic braking technologies can help riders maintain control over the motorcycle even when they suddenly brake or brake on wet or slippery surfaces. They prevent the kind of motorcycle crashes that are often caused as a result of skidding. These are the kind of accidents that often result in the rider falling off the motorcycle with possibly devastating consequences. The lack of ABS on a motorcycle is a significant factor in a large percentage of motorcycle accidents every year.

Published on: May 17, 2022

White House Calls for Emphasis on Motorcycle Safety

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Safety organizations in Georgia and around the country are marking the month of May as National Motorcycle Safety Month, and President Joe Biden himself recently issued a statement recognizing the importance of prioritizing the safety of motorcyclists.

This May, transportation safety agencies in Georgia have planned a number of programs to bring awareness to motorcycle safety issues. The Georgia Department of Driver Services Commissioner says that it is important for all Atlanta drivers and motorcyclists to understand that motorcyclists and riders can be kept safe through a combination of avoiding distracting behaviors, staying within speed limits and respecting the rights of all on the road.

Georgia has an admirable record as far as motorcycle safety is concerned in that the state is one of just 19 other states and the District of Columbia that have passed universal motorcycle helmet laws. These laws require all persons riding a motorcycle to be wearing a helmet at the time.

Published on: November 17, 2021

Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program Receives Much-Needed Boost

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

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: July 11, 2011

Motorcycle Manufacturers Need to Focus on Safety in Order to Prevent Motorcycle Accidents, Injuries

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers have not failed to notice that while automobile manufacturers have tried to keep pace with the public demand for safer automobiles, motorcycle manufacturers have really not focused on the safety of their vehicles as much.As a result, while auto accident deaths around the country have been dropping, the number of people dying in motorcycle accidents has remained more or less the same.

In 2010, Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers found a drop in motorcycle accident fatalities, the first drop recorded in 11 years.While that had been an encouraging sign, it was not a sharp enough drop.Far too many people continue to be at risk of an accident when they ride a motorcycle.Motorcyclists are at risk from motorists driving under the influence, or speeding.The risks of being involved in an auto accident increases when they are sharing the road with a motorist who is texting while driving.Other times, these car accidents are caused by drivers who fail to look out for motorcyclists.

A major factor in the drop in highway auto accident deaths across the country has been that automobiles now come with safety devices that not only reduce the risk of an auto accident, but also prevent serious injuries and deaths in an accident.Electronic stability control systems have substantially reduced the number of rollover accidents that occur every year.These are some of the most serious accidents, and account for a large percentage of fatalities in accidents every year.The fatalities have been declining because more vehicles now come with stability control systems.

Published on: May 31, 2011

How You Can Prevent Motorcycle Accidents in Atlanta

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Much of motorcycle safety depends on the ability of motorists to respect motorcyclists’ right.This alone would prevent many of the motorcycle accidents we see which often involve serious personal injuries or a wrongful death. The most important thing that drivers could do to prevent accidents involving motorcyclists is to acknowledge that motorcycle riders in Georgia have the very same rights that motorists do.In other words, that a motorcyclist sharing the highway with your SUV is not an outsider with no rights, but a legitimate highway user with the same rights as you.

Many accidents that Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers come across occur because drivers fail to look out for motorcyclists, especially when they are making lane changes or entering thoroughfares.Look especially closely for motorcyclists in your mirrors during these times. Here are some basic tips for motorists.

When you are sharing the road with a motorcycle, do not try to pass the motorcycle in the same lane.

Published on: June 19, 2010

Motorcycle Safety Tips for Summer – Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Summer also happens to be motorcycling season across Georgia.Thousands of motorcyclists will take to the highways this summer and, unfortunately, many of them will be involved in a motorcycle accident. They can accept warm weather, clear skies, and unfortunately, also plenty of hostile motorists. There are several things that motorcyclists can keep in mind to help them to avoid an accident and serious injuries.

As Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers, we would like to stress the need for both motorists and motorcyclists to cooperate to prevent accidents this summer.One of the best things that a novice motorcyclist can do to minimize the risk of accidents and injuries is to take a safety training program before beginning motorcycling. Even if you have been an avid motorcyclist in the past and have spent a few years without riding, it’s highly recommended that you take a motorcycle training program to brush up your skills. These training courses provide excellent tips for avoiding accidents.

Wear protective gear. A helmet is an absolute must. Also wear protective leather clothing including jackets and boots.

Published on: November 5, 2009

Georgia Seeks to Lower Motorcycle Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Motorcycle Education Initiative Aims to Lower Accident Statistics Across Georgia

Last month, Georgia State Patrol and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety launched a motorcycle safety education initiative, aimed at lowering the numbers of motorcycle crash statistics across the state. According to Georgia State Patrol, the safety education unit will provide motorcycle safe information at schools, clubs, military facilities and other locations across Georgia.

The safety education initiative comes as motorcycle accident fatality rates continue on their upward graph, causing concern to law enforcement officials, motorcycling groups as well as Georgia motorcycle accident lawyers. While other highway accident statistics have dropped steadily over the past decade, motorcycle accident fatalities have actually increased during the same period of time. Currently, motorcycle accident fatalities constitute 14 percent of all highway fatalities in the US. In 2007, 162 motorcyclists died in accidents in Georgia. 3,334 people were injured in these accidents.