If you ride a motorcycle here in Pennsylvania, you already know you are far more vulnerable on the road than other drivers just by virtue of the vehicle you ride and your level of exposure in a motorcycle accident. But couple that with winter weather and holiday imbibing, and your chances of being seriously injured in an accident skyrocket. The experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at Silver & Silver are here to offer some important motorcycle safety tips to help keep you happy, healthy, and safe while riding your motorcycle this holiday season. 

 

Alcohol and Motorcycles Don’t Mix, No Matter What Time of Year It Is

The facts are irrefutable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are overrepresented in drunk driving accidents throughout the year. Year after year, motorcyclists have the highest percentage of impaired operators compared to drivers of other vehicles. And while riding a motorcycle is inherently riskier than driving an enclosed passenger vehicle, operating a bike after a few drinks makes you even more at risk for a motorcycle accident.

The holidays are all about celebration and sharing good cheer, but operating your bike while intoxicated is a recipe for disaster, both for you and others on the road. This holiday season, promise yourself the gift of life. Have a plan. If you’ve had a few drinks, arrange for someone else to drive you home after your holiday celebration. 

 

Riding in Winter Weather Puts You at Risk

Winter weather conditions make riding a motorcycle much more treacherous, from keeping yourself warm to maintaining your balance and momentum on slippery surfaces. The cold will affect you mentally and physically as a rider, and it will also affect your bike. Before you take to the road this holiday season, our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys recommend you and your bike be well-prepared for the winter weather. 

• How experienced a rider are you? Beginners shouldn’t ride in winter weather unless they have some significant riding experience under their belt.

• If you choose to ride in winter weather, your bike should be properly prepared to take you where you want to go. In most cases, your current fluids, tires, and batteries are probably designed for warmer seasonal riding. Your battery may not function well in the cold, making your bike harder to start. Oil will be more sluggish, and you may need to change out your fluids for a thinner engine oil. Tire rubber shrinks in the cold and provides less traction if you need to stop. While snow tires for motorcycles are rare, have a good pair of all-weather or studded tires on your bike. Checking that your motorcycle is properly equipped for winter weather helps protect your safety and ensures you’re at less risk of getting stranded.
• Plan your route and share it with a friend. Check the weather forecast and road conditions before you head out. Avoid specific days, times, and routes that you know will see a significant increase in holiday traffic. 
• Don’t run the risk of hypothermia. Even if it doesn’t feel that cold outside, once you get up to speed, the wind chill will catch up with you. Layer your clothes and gear to ensure you’re prepared for the cold. Your outer gear should be warm, waterproof, and reflective, and you should have winter boots and gloves on. You may even consider investing in heated gear if you plan on riding throughout the winter. These should include a heated seat, a good pair of hand warmers, and a full-face fog-proof and tightly sealed helmet to ensure you’ll always be able to see the road. 
• Check your lights before you head out. Every. Single. Time.
• Slow down and keep your distance. Navigating winter weather and slippery surfaces means you’ll need more time and space to see and respond to hazards. Slow down during inclement weather and increase your distance from other vehicles so you have that extra space and time to brake and avert a potential accident. 
• Ride with a group. Not only is it a lot more fun, but if you run into trouble, you have others there to help. Use hands-free helmet communication to keep in touch with and communicate clearly between riders. Ride in a staggered formation to ensure extra safety and visibility. 
• Make sure any passengers fully understand passenger safety rules and are also properly prepared.
• Carry an emergency kit, including emergency flares, a flat repair kit, a basic toolkit, cash, and waterproof rain gear. Always have a fully charged cell phone or a way to charge it on your bike. 
• Don’t ride when it’s actively snowing. Snow piles up quickly and immediately makes roadways slick. If you’re out on the road when it starts to snow, wait it out or get home and find another safer way of getting to your destination. 

 

Maintain Your Motorcycle Insurance Throughout the Winter Months

Some bikers try to save money by canceling their motorcycle insurance during the winter months. If you plan to ride at all during the winter, you must maintain proper motorcycle insurance coverage all year. This is critical if you’re involved in an accident and must make a motorcycle accident claim. Furthermore, short-term cancellation can create a lapse in your coverage that actually can cause your insurance costs to increase. 

 

Let Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Help If You Have Been Injured in an Accident

Unfortunately, you can be the most careful and prepared motorcyclist and still get injured in a holiday motorcycle accident. Never try to navigate this alone. Motorcycle accident claims have their unique distinctions, and you will want a skilled legal professional advocating for your legal rights. The Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorneys at Silver & Silver have dedicated their careers to the rights of the injured. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, call us at (610) 638-7255 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. You never pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. 

 

Disclosure:

This website is designed to provide only general information. The information presented on this website is not formal legal advice. You should not rely on any general information from any source for making legal decisions. Each legal matter is unique and requires specific attention from a qualified and experienced attorney. Unless a representation agreement has been signed with the Law Offices of Silver and Silver, we are not your legal representatives.