Motorcycle Safety Training Decreases Accidents and Fatalities

As gasoline prices continue to climb, a rising number of American motorists are considering purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles like scooters and motorcycles. Even the most fuel frugal automobiles can only hope to gain efficient use into the high 30s and low 40s per gallon, while motorcycles can attain nearly 60 mg and scooters often hover around 100mpg. Granted, two-wheeled transport does not have the load bearing and carrying ability of a sedan or SUV, yet for commuting and efficiency, it can’t be beaten. As more and more riders hit the streets, many state and local governments are doing their part to make sure less and less riders actually “hit the streets” by increasing education opportunities and enforcing existing laws concerning motorcycling and scooting.

In the Pacific Northwest, Washington State governor, Christine Gregoire, along with the Legislature are helping to make sure that rider education is available to all citizens desiring training. Rider education can be seen as essential simply by looking at the statistics of motorcycle fatalities in Washington State as recently as 2007. Forty percent of all motorcyclists involved in a fatal accident did not have their motorcycle endorsement (essentially driving without a license) and ninety-three percent of the riders involved in deadly crashes had not been recipients of motorcycle safety training. Gregoire and her legislature has put into place a program, referred to as “Endorse Your Sport” helping provide subsidized classes to riders at the affordable price of $125 compared to the non-subsidized $250 fee. The balance of monies for these cheaper classes is provided by motorcyclists across the state when they pay the extra $25 at the Department of Transportation to receive their motorcycle endorsement and driver’s licenses. A portion of this goes to pay for subsidized classes for an additional 1,000 students a year. Also a part of this program, new education sites are sprouting up all over the state, increasing the opportunities for new riders to be educated. In connection with “Endorse Your Sport”, police across the state are aggressively enforcing motorcycle laws as part of the effort to keeping accidents and deaths down. If a rider is found to be without an endorsement, the rider’s motorcycle is impounded and hefty fines are levied. Education pays, or it could be said that being uneducated makes you pay in this instance.

No matter how much rider education or advanced skill a rider may possess, accidents can and do happen. In order to protect you after an accident occurs, a personal injury lawyer should be contacted that will vigorously work to make sure you are fairly compensated due to injury.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law.