for Motorcycle, ATV & Golf Cart Safety
Motorcycles are not dangerous by design. They are extremely intolerant of bad judgment, rider errors and other factors.
Eric Barros, Motorcycle enthusiast
While there is required training for obtaining a motorcycle license, the same is not true for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and golf carts. In fact, some of the most important do’s & don’ts for motorcycle safety are on the top of the list of essential tips for motorcycle, ATV and golf carts to prevent rider and passenger injury and death. Check out the essential tips designed to help keep you safe.
For the purpose of this article, motorcycle refers to any 2- and 3-wheeled motorcycles, off-road motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, mini-bikes and pocket bikes.
Essential Tip 1
Wear a helmet! Helmets work. Your brain is the most vulnerable part of your body, naturally encased in bone to keep it safe. Helmets have a much higher success rate of protecting your skull and brain, preventing fatality should you get in a motorcycle accident. In 2019, 57% of killed motorcyclists weren’t wearing helmets in states without universal helmet laws (NHTSA).
Generally speaking, helmets are 41% effective in preventing deaths to motorcycle passengers and 37% to motorcycle riders. In other words, for every 100 motorcycle riders without helmets killed in accidents, 37 could have been saved if all 100 wore helmets.
If you understand the need to wear a hard hat on jobsites, you’ll understand the need to wear a helmet while on a motorcycle or recreational vehicle.
Essential Tip 2
Alcohol and motorcycles or ATVs or golf carts don’t mix. Do not drink alcohol before or while riding a motorcycle, ATV or golf cart. Even one drink can cause your reaction time to be delayed and, unlike most cars, trucks and SUVs, there’s no steel cage around you to keep you and others safe.
Not surprisingly, there is a higher chance of accident causing fatality when alcohol is involved. In fact, 29% of all road fatalities and 33% of motorcycle deaths are caused by a drunk driver or rider and about 43% of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol.
Essential Tip 3
Wear safety gear. Safety gear for motorcycles includes a motorcycle helmet, gloves, jacket, boots and pants. ATVs should be used wearing safety protection, as well, including eye protection, boots, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Gear works. At any speed, anything is always better than nothing.
Essential Tip 4
Take care and be aware! Age and experience both play a factor in the number of accidents and deaths. Inexperience and thirst for adrenaline make teenagers more likely to have accidents leading to injury or death. Dangerous driving for the sake of “likes” or “Subscriptions” for the purpose of a YouTube video is not worth it. Only those who have completed the proper training for motorcycles and ATVs should use them. When you don’t know how to be safe, you’re bound to miss the mark, and reminders about safety with younger riders is always a good idea.
Essential Tip 5
Stay clear of dangerous scenarios. Know the safest times of day to ride and always ride responsibly. Almost 75% of motorcycle crashes involve collision with another vehicle. Speeding and high-traffic times are both factors that lead to accident and injury. A leading cause of ATV accidents are due rollover as a result unstable ground or unfamiliar areas.
Similarly to motorcycle accident causes, most ATV accidents are caused by unsafe and untested operators, and may be due to inexperience, reckless driving, speeding, or other factors. Like any other vehicle, the risk of accidents is also increased by the use of alcohol or drugs. Being mindful of how and when you ride could save your life.
Essential Tip 6
Make sure you have a valid license. 30% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2019 were riding without valid motorcycle licenses. Motorcycles require licensure for the rider to take the bike to the road for good reason. There is safety training required to obtain a license. thus creating safer streets and situations for all riders, passengers and other drivers.
Essential Tip 7
Get trained! ATV training and motorcycle training are be non-debatable. ATV Safety offers online courses in addition to in-person, hands on rider courses. Local motorcycle dealerships will often have the best information regarding hands-on motorcycle courses in your area.
In short, take a safety course.* It could save your life and the life of your passengers.
*Carpenters Benefit Plans does not support or endorse any motorcycle or ATV training course linked in this article. Please be sure to do your own research to find the best training course near you.
