Motorcyclists Safety Checklist
All motorcycle riders know that safety is crucial when the bike is in motion. There’s only so much a motorcycle rider can do on their own to protect themselves when on the roads. Here is an essential safety checklist for Lincoln motorcycle riders to follow each time the asphalt is under their feet.
Proper Licensing Required
Even though a driver’s license issued in one state is valid in the rest of the country, licensing to operate a motorcycle is much different. You cannot use your driver’s license to operate a motorcycle. A motorcycle license endorsement is required to legally operate a motorcycle in California. To acquire the endorsement, you must pass a written test first. The next step is passing a skills test while on your motorcycle. The state agency administers both tests.
Practice Operating the Motorcycle
Before operating their motorcycle in traffic, Lincoln motorcycle riders should practice operating their bikes away from the public. You can do this in a controlled area, such as a private or empty parking lot. Not every motorcycle handles the same, so you must familiarize yourself with the bike, especially if it is brand new or you’ve never ridden it. It’s a good idea to practice operating the bike in wet conditions and with a rider to know how the handling will change.
Pre-Ride Safety Checks
Do a pre-ride safety check as an extra precaution against being in a Lincoln motorcycle accident. Each time you take your motorcycle out of the garage for a ride, even if it’s only around the block, you should check it for safety issues. All the following items must be checked before each ride:
- Tire pressure and treads
- Headlights and signal indicators
- Foot and hand brakes
- Fluid levels
If you find any issues, fix them before operating the motorcycle. You could be preventing an accident that could cause severe injury or death.
Wear the Right Protection
The state of California requires all Lincoln motorcycle riders to wear a helmet when operating a bike. You should purchase and wear a helmet approved by the Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. All of these approved helmets will have the DOT symbol on the back. Helmets that meet this standard weigh roughly three pounds, have a sturdy chin strap, and feature polystyrene foam lining. A motorcycle helmet should fit on your head correctly so it does not fall off during a motorcycle accident.
Operate Drug and Alcohol-Free
Continuously operate your motorcycle free of drugs and alcohol. Even prescribed medications can alter your state of mind and your ability to safely operate a motorcycle. Even when a motorcycle rider is not under the influence, he or she can still struggle with predicting or anticipating the moves of other vehicles and pedestrians.
Know the Local Laws
You should know the local laws no matter where you ride your motorcycle. Make it a point to research the traffic laws everywhere you ride, including the speed limits. Always obey the traffic lights, stop signs, yield signs, and adhere to lane markings.
Lincoln Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Lincoln motorcycle accident lawyer. Injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident can be life-changing, if not deadly. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Lincoln motorcycle accident, please contact me for free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
I have been practicing personal injury law for 35 years, helping victims of motorcycle accidents in Lincoln and elsewhere across the state of California obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Victims and their families have put their unwavering trust in me for three decades.
You can read my reviews on Google, Avvo, and Yelp.
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Visit our site: www.autoaccident.com.
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