NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
*************************
ORILLIA - For many in Ontario, the summer weather brings about the enjoyment of taking to the open road on a motorcycle either for enjoyment or as a mode of transportation. In recent weeks, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers have responded to a number of crashes involving motorcycles where many riders were left with life threatening/life altering injuries and some unfortunately died as a result of the collisions.
As a motorcyclist, you are a more vulnerable road user because motorcycles are tougher to see than other vehicles, even with the headlights on, and lack characteristics that directly contribute to occupant safety, providing virtually no protection in a crash. With this in mind, the OPP would like to remind motorcyclists of several safety tips to make every ride a safe one.
- Motorcyclists should not assume that other drivers can see them - drivers that have collided with motorcycles often say they did not see the motorcycle until it was too late.
- Always ride at a speed appropriate for road and weather conditions as speeding and loss of control are major causes of motorcycle collisions.
- When riding, always wear an approved motorcycle helmet and bright, high-quality protective gear to make yourself more visible to other motorists.
- Never take your focus away from operating the motorcycle, being on two wheels at highway speeds means that any loose gravel, uneven pavement or potholes will cause some sort of reaction from the handling of the bike and could cause you to lose control.
- Avoid riding in a vehicle's blind spot as this can greatly reduce the chance of a potential collision caused by a motorist who may not see them.
And for motorists, they are reminded to always have a watchful eye out for motorcycles given how difficult they can be to see especially at intersections and when making left turns across a live lane of traffic or changing lanes. We all have a role to play in keeping our roads safe, lets work together towards this common goal.
For more motorcycle safety information please visit these sources:
http://oppweb.sgc.gov.on.ca/opp/livefiles/news/motorcycle-safety-pamphlet.pdf
*************************
