• 05
  • May
    2011

Cars have motorcycles outnumbered on New Jersey roads. There are nearly 400,000 licensed motorcyclists in the state. But the number of licensed car drivers is far higher: 5.5 million.

With this many vehicles on the road, preventing motorcycle accidents takes efforts by all concerned - not only bikers themselves, but also passenger car drivers, truckers, and bus drivers. In short, it takes all who share the road.

May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, which makes it a good time to reflect on this.

For car drivers, improved safety awareness includes some simple precautions that can make a real difference in preventing motorcycle accidents. For example, motorists should be sure to exercise care in switching lanes. This means double-checking the side and rear-view mirrors, just to be sure that all is clear.

Similarly, before turning at an intersection, it makes good sense to give one more look to each side. That simple action alone can be enough to avoid a collision.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission has a Motorcycle Safety Education Program, which works to improve awareness of basic principles like those outlined above. Putting those principles into action, however, depends on everyone on the road taking personal responsibility for their actions.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, or someone in your family has, contact an experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney at our firm. A lawyer can explain to you what your legal options are for pursuing compensation.

Source: "LETTER: Share the Road With Motorcycles," The Trentonian, 4-27-11