Motorcycle Accidents Due to Snowbirds

When you mix the crowded throngs of snowbirds with the two-wheeled vehicles of FX’s Sons of Anarchy, the end result could become anarchic. While snowbirds are new to the Florida area, they may be more concerned about the small road signs than they are about the motorcycle in front of them. Looking out for the smaller vehicles may not be at the front of their mind as they are getting used to the flat Floridian terrain. Motorcycle accidents increase during the holiday season, and the details below are beneficial for any Florida driver.

The Numbers          

While the amount of car crashes in Florida has overall decreased since 2007, motorcycle accidents can happen to anyone. Bear in mind these statistics next time you’re on the road:

• The 2010 New Year saw 32 fatalities, while Christmas of that same year saw 24 fatalities.
  
  
• The fatality rate for both motorcycle riders and their passengers is five and a half times more than the rate for those in a passenger car.
  
  
• December 2010 ranked the third highest for overall total of motorcycle accidents per month with 20,170 accidents, coming in third only to March and May of the same year, with 21,029 and 20,278 accidents respectively, portraying not only the factor of snowbirds, but the spring break visitors as well. A Safer Florida: Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle: Traffic Crash Report 2010.
  
  
• Florida had the highest amount of motorcycle fatalities, 530, in 2007.

Do Your Part to Stay Safe on the Road

With the rate of motorcycle accidents on the rise during the seasonal months due to snowbirds, springbirds, and everyone in between, one must be prepared in any way possible. If you like to feel the wind on your face “on the steel horse you ride,” take the following precautions to ensure that you are not a dead cowboy:

• Maintain your bike. The simple act of checking how your motorcycle survived the long holiday season or any other time period of disuse can make the difference between a ride of freedom and a ride to the other side.
  
  
• Wear a helmet with eye protection. A helmet that meets the federal safety standards is 37% effective in protecting against fatal injuries.
  
  
• Hold off on the alcohol. Any amount of alcohol within the body on the road can increase an accident by five times.
  
  
• Be safe during any holiday season. With Florida being a tourist magnet, the amount of snowbirds is on the rise every year to spend time with their friends and family, but this also means a crowded road for you. Take extra precautions while on the road and be aware of your surroundings.

If you are driving in a vehicle, stay extra safe and be prepared to share the road with motorcyclists. Use these tips to create a safer environment for those with motorcycles:

• Give the motorcyclist the width of the entire lane. Attempting to share the road with a motorcycle gives them less space and less of a chance to avoid a collision.
  
  
• Use proper signaling and observe the signaling of the motorcyclist. Proper communication on the road now may prevent a collision later.
  
  
• Keep in mind that a motorcyclist may need time to adjust their positioning in the event of an approaching pothole or railroad crossing. Observe the road ahead and prepare for the course of action the motorcyclist will take.
  
  
• Allow more distance when driving behind a motorcycle. Find yourself four seconds behind rather than two to avoid rear-ending the bike. Do this by observing a fixed point, such as a tree or street sign, that the motorcycle passes, and if you pass the point four seconds after the motorcycle, then you are a safe distance behind.

If you get injured in a motorcycle accident, including those involving snowbirds, seek an attorney and contact Lowman Law.