Capitol Yamaha in Sacramento California | Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

May is officially Motorcyle Safety Awareness Month. We're dedicated to keeping you safe on the road at Captiol Yamaha. We have a variety of helmets, lights, and gear to keep you protected! We've compiled a list of tips of how to keep you safe when riding your bike. Find us at 4622 Auburn Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95841 or give us a call at (916) 485-9200!

A campaign to make the roads safer for motorcyclists continues through the month of May, while motorcycle traffic increases with the warm weather. The goal is to help prevent the tragedy that motorcycle crashes can cause when riders are injured or killed.

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During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office is putting out reminders to motorists and motorcyclists alike to "share the road."

"Motorcyclists will be out in force as the weather gets warmer," said St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon. "Fatal crashes with motorcycles are on the rise, and helmet usage is on the decline. We all need to be more aware of motorcyclists in order to save lives."

Paul Liss, president of the Hell's Our Home Motorcycle Club in Marine City, said he's been riding since he was a kid. Maybe not the Harley-Davidson® Liss has now, but he said it's always been in his blood to ride.

"Life is too short," he said. "You always should do the things you love. You don't get a whole lot of shots at it so, when you can, do it. People will say they wish they would've bought a motorcycle. Well, why didn't you?"

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There is an" alarming trend." In 2012, 4,957 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes, 15 percent of the total highway fatalities that year. Injured motorcyclists also increased from 81,000 in 2011 to 93,000 in 2012.

Since the laws changed on mandatory helmet usage, more bikers have chosen to not wear the protective head gear. Of the number of motorcyclists who do wear helmets, injuries decreased from 66 percent in 2011 to 60 percent in 2012.

"The decrease was most significant among motorcycle passengers, decreasing from 64 percent in 2011 to 46 percent in 2012," Donnellon said. "The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 1,617 lives were saved in 2011 because of proper helmet usage, but another 701 lives could have been saved if helmets had been worn."

Liss said he wears his helmet most of the time. It all depends," he said. "I don't like helmets but it saved my life once." Liss was injured in a hit and run accident a while ago. Now, he still rides defensively, but doesn't let fear get in the way of a great ride, he said.

Jim Fernandez calls riding his Harley "wind therapy." "I love the freedom of the open air and the freedom it feels going down the road," he said. His advice for drivers: "Keep your eyes and ears open." "There's a reason why a motorcycle is so loud," he said. "We call it the 'thunder below.'"

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Fernandez, the commander of the Algonac Fred Quandt VFW Post 3901, is also a member of a veteran's motorcycle club, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. Instead of everyone riding in twos side by side when they travel in a group, he said they stagger their bikes instead. This way, there is more room to maneuver around an obstacle that suddenly comes their way. He keeps his lights on during the day, too, as a precautionary measure. He said most accidents happen when someone thoughtlessly pulls out of a driveway or side street without looking both ways.

Sheriff Donnellon had some more tips for driving safely with motorcyclists:

• Remember that motorcycles have the same rights of the road as any other motorist. That means the full width of a lane. Also, check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic, especially at intersections. Make sure to put on your turn signal, too.
• Allow more following distance - three to four seconds - when behind a motorcycle. This gives the motorist more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
• Wear a MDOT-compliant helmet and other protective gear.
• Use hand and turn signals at every lane change or turn.
• Wear brightly colored clothes and reflective tape to increase visibility.
• Ride in the middle of the lane where you will be more visible to drivers.

"By following basic safety rules, we can all help prevent crashes," said Donnellon. "Our message is for all drivers and riders: Share the responsibility of keeping our roads safe - always share the road."

It's Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month at Capitol Yamaha Sacramento in Sacramento, CA!

While our goal at Capitol Yamaha Sacramento is to get you set up with the best bike, it's also to keep you safe when out riding them. Come celebrate Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month at Capitol Yamaha Sacramento and get all your safety gear here! Find us at 4622 Auburn Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95841 or give us a call at (916) 485-9200!

Source: voicenews.com