Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month – Stay Alert And Stay Safe

As the weather warms up, it's not unusual that there are more motorcycles on the road. Because of that, May has been deemed Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. And as someone who rides motorcycles, I know there are dangers for both motorcyclists and other motorists.

Anyone who is operating a vehicle must be aware and alert to minimize the risk of accidents, for themselves and those around them. A big part of driving safety includes not driving distracted. Distractions can come from a cell phone, GPS, and even others in the vehicle with you. And of course, you should never drive while under the influence of alcohol or other substances.

For motorcyclists, it is important for them to practice safe driving habits. Sometimes motorcyclists get a bad rap for being considered reckless. I will say, from my experience as a rider, I have seen many situations where a motorcyclist had to quickly adapt. They have to be hyperaware because unfortunately, distracted driving or simply not being seen, can lead to dangerous situations.

That's not to say there aren't reckless motorcycle riders out there. I know there are many. That's why it's not only important for motorcyclists to operate their bikes safely, but other motorists should also do their part in safe driving. My dad has always told me that you can be the safest driver out there, but it's the other people on the road you have to worry about.

I've found my dad's words to be very true throughout my many years of driving. On a motorcycle or not, drivers of all types are capable of making mistakes. While we can't always prevent accidents, we should do our best to drive safely and always be aware of our surroundings. And when it comes to motorcycles, they can be harder to see, which makes it very important to check your blind spot.

My fiance, David, has been riding motorcycles for years. In fact, I'd never ridden a motorcycle until we met. While I did consider getting my motorcycle license, I decided against it, because I felt I wasn't an aggressive enough driver to feel confident on a bike. And I don't mean aggressive in a negative way. It's more the ability to quickly adapt and adjust according to what's going on around you.

As a rider, not the driver, I still find myself looking over my shoulder when we're changing lanes and making turns. We have helmets with an intercom system, so I try to help him anytime I can, without being too much of a backseat driver. While I might never drive a motorcycle myself, I try to do my part in making sure we're safe. And when I'm in my Jeep, I always make sure I give a little extra room for motorcycles.

Prior to riding motorcycles, I'd never thought a lot about how loud a bike can be. And while the loud bikes can be annoying, David told me that he likes loud pipes because it helps to make others around us aware. It's true -- Loud pipes save lives!

Being aware of motorcycles on the roadways isn't reserved for just this month, but something we should always pay attention to. It's everyone on the road's responsibility to practice safety and stay alert.

We have many friends who also ride, and we plan on making quite a few trips on our bike this Spring and Summer. Every time we get on the bike, I know there are risks. And believe me, people are quick to remind us how dangerous motorcycles can be. But the truth is, no matter what vehicle you're traveling in or on can be dangerous.

But it's on all of us to do our part. This month is a great reminder to share the road with motorcycles. Check those blind spots. Listen for those loud pipes. And give a little extra room for your fellow travelers.

A few motorcycle safety tips to remember if you're riding a motorcycle:

You're cruising down the road, wind in your hair, and the stereo cranked up to your favorite song. Life couldn't be better, right? Well, hold on, because here come those annoying drivers determined to ruin your joyride. From the oblivious ones who think turn signals are optional, to the speedsters weaving through traffic like they're in a Fast and Furious movie. There's no shortage of infuriating things they do. It's like they have a secret handbook on how to push our buttons.

You've probably dealt with tons of annoying drivers over the years. While the list of annoying drivers could go on, there are eight examples that stand out as the worst of the worst. The next time you find yourself near an annoying driver, take a deep breath, and remember that patience is a virtue.

Does the car's brand make a driver more annoying? A 2021 survey conducted by Moneybarn in the United Kingdom found that BMW owners were widely regarded as the most disliked drivers on the road, with nearly 40 percent of respondents identifying them as the worst and most prone to causing accidents. Audi came in a distant second at 14 percent.

In the United States, Insurify, a car insurance comparison website, released a report on the Rudest Drivers in 2021. To compile the data, their team analyzed over four million applications, where applicants disclosed their car make and model and any driving violations over the past seven years. The results showed that in 2020, BMW drivers were considered the rudest. In 2021, it was Kia Stinger drivers who took the top spot. Audi A4 Allroad drivers ranked as the second rudest, followed by BMW 4-Series drivers.

Ultimately, it is the driver, not the brand of the car, that determines their behavior on the road. While these findings may suggest certain trends, it would be unfair to make blanket assumptions about all drivers of a particular car brand.

Annoying drivers can really test our patience, but it's important to stay cool and drive responsibly. Remember, we're all just trying to get from point A to point B in one piece.

Here are 7 seriously annoying things that other drivers do on the road.

You know the type. They leisurely cruise along in the left lane, seemingly oblivious to the growing line of cars behind them. They show no intention of moving over, despite signs clearly indicating slower traffic should keep right. It's as if they believe they own that lane and everyone else is just passing through.

You're approaching a merging lane, diligently signaling your intention to merge, when suddenly you spot them—the driver who can't seem to commit to either accelerating to merge or slowing down to let you in. They teeter on the edge of indecision, causing a chaotic dance of hesitant maneuvering that disrupts the flow of traffic.

We've all encountered the driver who seemingly has a vendetta against personal space. They ride your bumper with an intensity that could rival a race car driver. Whether they're running late or simply have a persistent need to assert dominance, their tailgating antics create an anxiety-inducing experience.

Honking is meant to be a communication tool, a gentle reminder to draw attention to potential dangers or to express gratitude. However, a special breed of drivers wield their horns like a weapon of mass annoyance. They honk at the slightest inconvenience, from a fraction-of-a-second delay at a green light to a cautious pedestrian exercising their right of way.

We're all aware of the dangers of distracted driving, yet some individuals choose to engage in activities outside the confines of a moving vehicle. From applying makeup and eating full meals to scrolling through social media or engaging in animated conversations, these drivers treat their cars as mobile living rooms. Their lack of focus puts us all at risk, and we can't help but wonder if they have forgotten that driving requires undivided attention.

The left lane, aka the fast lane, is meant for, well, going fast. But there's always that one driver who decides to take a leisurely Sunday drive right there, blocking everyone else behind them. This forces other drivers to undertake risky maneuvers to overtake them, leading to frustration and potentially dangerous situations.

Traffic rules exist for a reason. To maintain order, safety, and efficiency on the roads. However, some drivers seemingly view these rules as mere suggestions. They run red lights, ignore stop signs, and make illegal U-turns with complete disregard for the potential consequences. Their actions create chaos and put everyone around them at risk.

It's like these drivers believe that turn signals are optional car accessories. They change lanes or make turns without a single blinker in sight, leaving the rest of us to play mind readers and guess their next move.