Motorcycle Safety

Motorcycle Safety
Important Reminders for Motorists, Motorcyclists & Homeowners

With warmer summer weather upon us, drivers will likely see more motorcycles on local roadways. We can all do our part to keep our roadways safe for motorcycles.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 384,0000 motorcycles were registered in New York in 2020; only California and Florida had more registered motorcycles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to be killed in a collision than occupants of other types of motor vehicles, and 5,014 riders died in crashes in 2019. 

County Executive Marc Molinaro and the Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board offer the following tips for local drivers, motorcyclists, and homeowners to ensure the summer season is as safe as possible for motorcycle enthusiasts:

Motorists

• One of the most prevalent factors in crashes involving cars and motorcycles is visibility. The motorist simply did not see the motorcycle. One of the most common crashes is the result of a vehicle turning in front of a motorcycle.
• Motorcycles are often being overlooked. They are smaller and move differently, they are often not seen or recognized in traffic by other motorists. Look twice for motorcyclists.
• Never tailgate a motorcyclist. Allow at least two seconds following distance between you and the motorcycle in front of you.

Motorcyclists

• Take some time to reacquaint yourself with your bike. Practice basic techniques like braking, shifting, turning and swerving in an empty parking lot or other safe area before going on the road.
• Remember at this time of year there may be large amounts of sand on the road left over from winter, and grass clippings are always a danger of which to take caution. Potholes can be extremely dangerous to a motorcyclist.
• Animal/wildlife activity often increases in the spring and summer.
• Simply obtaining a valid motorcycle license is one of the biggest reductions in risk. It’s the law in New York State.
• Get trained! Research shows that riders who completed a basic riding skills course are involved in fewer accidents than those who don’t. More than 90 percent of all riders involved in crashes are just self-taught or taught by friends.
• Wear protective clothing – this includes an approved helmet, goggles or face shield for eye protection, jacket, full-fingered gloves, long pants and over-the-ankle boots. Wearing brightly colored garments may help other vehicles see you.
• Ride according to your skill level. Never overestimate yourself.

Homeowners

Blowing grass clippings into roadways is not only dangerous to motorists; it's illegal. According to Section 1219 of New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law: 

No person shall throw or deposit upon any highway any glass bottle, glass, nails, tacks, wire, cans, snow or any other substance likely to injure any person, animal, or vehicle upon such
highway.

Any person who drops, or permits to be dropped or thrown, upon any highway any destructive or injurious material or any material which interferes with the safe use of the highway shall immediately remove the same or cause it to be removed.

Any person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a highway shall remove any glass or other injurious substance dropped upon the highway from such vehicle.

The Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board has additional resources for motorists of all types available on its website: www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Traffic-Safety/traffic-safety-board.htm