FAIRFAX, Va. — With pleasant weather this time of year, more people will be pulling out their motorcycles and hitting the road. That also means the number of accidents involving motorcycles may increase.
So far this spring, eight people have died in motorcycle collisions according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. In the region, the majority of motorcycle accidents happen in Fairfax County, Virginia, Prince George’s County, Maryland and the District.
“Law enforcement officials in the region say most of those crashes occurred because many motorcycle riders fail to maintain control of their motorcycles,” said John Townsend of AAA Mid-Atlantic.
In Fairfax, Jeff Thompson of Motorcycle Riding Concepts said the class motorcyclists need to take to get licenses doesn’t necessarily prepare them for what they’ll encounter on the roads. He said many will put themselves in positions with which they’re not familiar, including taking turns too fast and trusting other drivers too much.
“They need to ride like it’s their last ride,” Thompson said.
AAA found that 25 bikers died in Fairfax County from 2009 to 2013. During the same time frame, D.C. saw 16 motorcyclists die in crashes, and in Prince George’s County the death toll was 42.
To stay safe, bikers should allow space on the road between themselves and other vehicles, and should never share a lane beside a car, according to the auto club. It is recommended that bikers use turn signals, wear protective gear and above all, don’t speed.
Those are among the lessons for Chelsea Nagel of Alexandria, who is participating in the beginner’s course at Motorcycle Riding Concepts. One of Nagel’s biggest takeaways from the class was “being aware that you are not as visible as another car is.”
Zach Zedan from Sterling said he quickly realized when he began riding that going fast and straight is easy, but going slow is hard.
New motorcyclists should consider joining a motorcycle club and riding with seasoned riders, Thompson said. Doing that will give them more experience under the watchful eye of other drivers who help them get more comfortable behind the handle bars.
Inexperienced car drivers also fail to see motorcyclists as a threat, and that leads to more accidents, in Thompson’s opinion.
To avoid accidents, AAA Mid-Atlantic said car drivers should recognize they need to share the road with motorcyclists. The motor club also advises car drivers to position their mirrors to minimize blind spots, look out for bikers at intersections, anticipate a motorcyclist’s maneuvers and allow plenty of space.
When it comes to careless bikers speeding and popping wheelies on crowded streets, Thompson said those riders give motorcyclists a bad name. They also lead to higher insurance costs for everyone on the road.
