Bike Week 2023 March 3-12

Monroe Insurance is a full-service agency capable of serving all of your insurance needs, including motorcycle insurance. Many of our auto carriers offer motorcycle coverage with a discount if you bundle. Call us today for a free no obligation quote. Our agents are ready to serve your insurance needs. Hablamos Espanol.

For many people riding a motorcycle can be a liberating, exciting and adventurous experience. However, it can also be a dangerous activity if one is not properly trained, or if one has not taken adequate precautions. For example, The US Department of Transportation in 2016 estimated that motorcyclists were 28 times more likely to die in traffic accidents than people riding in cars. The statistics for death in 2016 were 5,029 motorcyclists due to accidents.

As we approach Bike Week (March 3-12) in the Daytona Beach area, here are some suggestions for staying safe. We hope to inform automobile drivers on how to prevent accidents with motorcyclists as well. We also want to assist you with your motorcycle insurance needs. 

Tips for Motorcycle safety:

1. Before riding, you should take a safety course. A safety course will inform you about the rules of the road, actions to take in unpredictable situations, provide you with the required skills, and instill sound judgment. As a bonus, you may also qualify for a discount on your policy.    

2. It is important for you to inspect your motorcycle before each ride. This will ensure your safety.  We suggest you check your headlights, taillights, turn signals, brakes, fuel gauges, oil and tire pressure, mirrors, handlebars, and horn.

3. You should always check the weather before heading out. Rain, fog, ice, and snow can compromise your safety. Driving under these conditions can be hazardous for two reasons. First, you will have less tire traction than a car. Secondly, your visibility will be impaired. We suggest that you choose another day to ride in cases of inclement weather.

4. Wear protective gear. Motorcycle gear like DOT approved helmets, goggles, leather jackets, leather pants, over the ankle boots, and non-slip gloves are your best protection. You should never ride without a helmet, in shorts, or in sandals. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Helmets reduce the risk of death by 37%, and the risk of head injury by 69%. You must also dress in layers in order to adjust to changing weather conditions during the day.

5. While driving please be sure to obey the traffic rules, use your signals, and drive within the speed limit. Too many accidents are the result of reckless behavior such as speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, and not signaling lane changes. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 34% of all motorcycle deaths in 2020 were caused by excessive speeds. Motorcyclists aged 25 to 29 had the highest speeding incidents at 45%

6. Be observant of the road, traffic, other drivers, and look out for road hazards. In other words, drive defensively. Driving defensively enables you to anticipate traffic problems, and road hazards such as potholes, animals or pedestrians. Things such as oil slicks, sand or gravel can affect your tire traction. A bump or a pothole can prove devastating. “Bambi” crossing the road can pose a risk to your and their safety. Always be safe at railroad crossings.

7. Watch out for blind spots and be visible. You must never assume that you are visible to other drivers. It’s hard enough to see other vehicles, let alone a motorcycle! According to the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway and Safety Administration, 75% of accidents involved drivers who could not see a motorcycle. We suggest you avoid blind spots, drive with your headlights on, do not tailgate or weave in and out of traffic, wear reflective clothing and gear, and always use your turn signals and hand signals when attempting a lane change.

8. Practice defensive driving especially when it relates to tailgating. It is not safe and is extremely life threatening. We recommend that you stay at least four seconds away from the vehicle in front of you. This distance will allow you to stop in an emergency situation. It also allows you to change lanes or enter the shoulder in cases where you have to react when a vehicle suddenly hits the breaks.

9. Carrying roadside assistance on your motorcycle policy can be extremely useful. This will provide you with peace of mind on the road in cases of mechanical breakdown, a tire blowout, or running out of fuel. It would also be helpful to carry a first aid kit for instances where you need to tend to the inevitable scrapes and cuts sustained on a road trip.

10. Never drink and drive. According to the Insurance Institute one-third of all motorcycle accidents occur due to an intoxicated driver. In fact, motorcycles have the highest ratio of drunk drivers in comparison to fatalities among other motorists. We do not want to lecture but safe riding requires complete concentration and non-impaired judgment. Being on a motorcycle requires a significant amount of mental energy and focus.

11. Sleep deprivation can also be a hazard. Studies indicate that lack of rest can contribute to fatigue, a loss of motor coordination, and impaired driving skills. According to the Centers for Disease Control being awake for 17 hours is similar to having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05% (the level some states use for drunk driving violations). Have a good night’s sleep before you take the road and take breaks during long drives in order to prevent fatigue and exhaustion.

While Florida doesn’t require riders to purchase motorcycle insurance, we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy. Motorcycle insurance can help cover your damages if you get into an accident and limit your financial liability. Even though you are not required to purchase insurance you may be responsible for damages or injury to other drivers in the event of an accident. Insurance also protects you in other states, should you take your bike on a road trip. It is the most financially responsible thing to do for you and your family.

Monroe Insurance is a full-service agency capable of serving all of your insurance needs, including motorcycle insurance. Many of our auto carriers offer motorcycle coverage with a discount if you bundle. Call us today for a free no obligation quote. Our agents are ready to serve your insurance needs. Hablamos Espanol.