This is a guest post from Mark Conner of DriveSafely.info
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
Like in many parts of the country, distracted driving is an epidemic that leads to a shocking amount of road injuries and deaths in Colorado. Around 13% of all highway deaths last year in Colorado had distracted driving play a role. The numbers are even more staggering for non-fatal crashes – over 15,000 involved distracted driving.
Last year, 125 motorcyclists died on Colorado roads. Distracted driving – both of the motorcyclists and of other drivers on the road, played a pretty large role, according to The Denver Post.
Distracted driving, defined as anything that takes your eyes, hands, or mind off the main task at hand – safety controlling your vehicle – is a huge problem for car drivers but affects motorcycle riders too. Anyone operating a vehicle on the road can fall victim to it. How can you, as a motorcyclist, be more focused on the road?
Absolutely stay off your phone – no exceptions (It’s becoming the law)
It’s much harder to try to operate your phone on a motorcycle than it is while driving a car, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t take place. If you need to use your phone for any reason – including mapping your direction – pull over. Using your phone at stop lights or while sitting in slow-moving traffic is still dangerous and in many places illegal. Various states have introduced distracted driving legislation. Montana, for example, introduced a bill in 2017 to ban all cell phone use while driving, “including operation while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic light, or a stop sign.” Other states like Colorado, that already have anti-texting-while-driving laws on the books.
Make sure you’re as alert as you can be at all times
Don’t operate a motorcycle if you’re tired. Riding a cycle requires a good amount of balance and coordination. Being extremely tired is often times as dangerous as being impaired by drugs or alcohol. If you’re on a longer ride and you begin to feel less alert, stop and take a break. Stretch your legs and eat a snack. Take a quick power nap if you have to. You need to be 100% mentally focused whenever riding a motorcycle.
Just assume you’re invisible to other drivers on the road
That’s because you pretty much are. Car drivers are notorious for being unable to spot motorcycles. Stay out of blind spots and always give yourself an “out.” This means always having a plan for what you’ll do if you need to swerve or slam on your brakes. Never pass cars between lanes and try to wear bright clothing to stand out.
Be mindful of your helmet
It’s not enough to simply wear a helmet (though it is very important). You have to wear your helmet properly. A motorcycle helmet should fit snugly and even seem tight as you slip it on. Loose helmets can be a major danger as they can slip, shift, and adjust mid-ride, blocking your view and being a huge distraction. Loose helmets are also prone to come off in the event of a crash, leaving you vulnerable to serious head trauma.
Colorado motorcyclists enjoy some of the best roads for riding in the country. But as you wind your way up mountains and through frequent inclement weather, you must do everything you can to be a more focused, less distracted rider. Part of this is because you yourself could cause an accident if distracted, but it’s also the fact that other distracted drivers on the roads are more dangerous to motorcyclists than to other car drivers. Drive defensively, drive alertly, and most of all drive as if your life is in your own hands (because it mostly is).
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