WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- As the days gradually get longer and we begin to thaw from a relatively mild winter, soon the streets will begin to fill with motorcycles. The addition of these vehicles to our roadways is a topic we all need to prepare for, whether you ride or not.
According to data gathered from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle accident fatalities begin to rise in March and peak in July. So, as we approach this upcoming “riding season,” please make yourself aware of the motorcycles on the roads.
Below you will find tips for both motorcycle riders and automobile drivers to help make this the safest year for motorcyclist yet.
ROAD CONDITIONS
Winter weather takes its toll on the roadways. Snow removal techniques are not friendly to the roads and the road crews typically have not had a chance to complete repairs prior to the arrival of nicer weather that brings out the motorcyclist. Pot holes and loose impediments are of concern to riders. Snow removal equipment can leave pot holes large enough to dismount an unsuspecting rider. The application of salt, sand or other traction control agents used during the winter months tend to build up in corners or along the edges of the road. These loose impediments can prove disastrous for a motorcyclist negotiating a curve or during braking. Pay close attention to the condition of the road.
SKILL LEVEL
Many motorcyclists place their motorcycles in storage during the winter months and rely on four wheeled vehicles as their primary mode of transportation. Taking a break from riding for a few months may dull the riding skills. Additionally, the lack of motorcyclists on the road during the winter months lessens the awareness of other drivers. As a rider, be aware that your skill level may not be where it was prior to storing your motorcycle and take the precautions to compensate. As drivers, be attentive to the increasing number of motorcyclists in the upcoming months.
INSPECTIONS
Inspections are vital in most Air Force day-to-day operations and for very good reason, they are designed to catch discrepancies. It is equally important that we, as motorcycle riders and operators of motor vehicles, perform prior to use inspections also. After removing your motorcycle from storage, you should perform (or have performed) a complete in depth inspection. A guide for performing this inspection is T-CLOCS (tires/wheels, controls, lights/electric, oil/fluids, chassis, stands).