Motorcycles zooming along the road are now among the common sights in any United States highway. Last 2004, sales of new motorcycles have gone beyond one million dollars. This figure increased higher by the summer of 2005 and yet gained another high by the year of 2006 especially since fuel prices have reached their all time high prices.
State laws all over United States have the same definition of the motorcycle. Accordingly, motorcycle as a motor vehicle with a seat or saddle for the rider and have no more than three wheels. In some states, though, they have included the mopeds, while others do not.
Terrain vehicles or motorized bikes, which are off-the-road vehicles, are not included in the definition of the motorcycle. Thus, there are different laws and regulations for these vehicles. Having significant knowledge of the state laws governing the vehicle you aim to drive is important.
Due to the high-speed capability of motorcycles, and the minimal protection it gives its occupant, it became known as the most dangerous vehicle ever to grace the highway. According to studies, motorcycles topped all other vehicles for crash cost per person per mile. Fatalities caused by motorcycle-related accidents in the highways and streets increased by more than 40 percent since 1997. Consequently, there is also a rise on the number of injuries acquired from such accidents.
Collected data on motorcycle-related accidents have the following findings:
-there are very rare cases of vehicle defects -most victims of such accidents are male, between the ages of 15 and 24 -Three fourths of the accident cases implicate collision with another vehicle, and most of these are passenger automobiles. While one fourth involves the collision of the motorcycle with some other object, a single vehicle accident. -These collision accidents are mostly due to lack of attention on the part of the rider and a notable lack of training -Many motorcyclists have no license or have revoked license. -Driving under the influence of alcohol or DUI cases -Only minimal cases involve accidents due to bad weather, road defects and animal involvement -Most cases also involve speeding
Injuries acquired from motorcycle – related accidents are usually covered by private health insurance coverage, which benefits only a little more than half of crash victims. The government actually covers most of the medical costs in such cases. Other victims get to be covered by the Medicaid program or some other government program. Like car accident victims, motorcycle accident victims also face loss of work and loss of wage for work missed during hospitalization or due to the permanent disability after the accident. This finally results to decreased quality of life.
These serious implications of motorcycle-related accidents lead to the promulgation of the 2006 Motorcycle Safety Program Plan by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As an upgrade of their 2003 Plan, the 2006 Plan have the recommendations for implementation by state and local governments as preventive measures against motorcycle related accidents.
-increase access of riders to rider education programs -increase the number of properly licensed motorcyclists -reduce the cases of motorcyclists riding while sill impaired -increase visibility of motorcyclists in roads, especially highways -increase the use of helmet as ultimate protective gear -Increase the awareness of other motorists’ on the presence of motorcyclists alongside them in highway roads.
Aside from helmets, as protective gear, motorcyclists must also wear proper reflective clothing, complete with gloves, boots, long pants and a long sleeved jacket. There must also be adequate eye and face protection for the motorcycle riders.
Furthermore, as an added safety net if ever accidents happen, all of the states, except for Washington required motorcycle riders to avail of minimal comprehensive insurance coverage, at the very least. Moreover, other states have certain laws that require a motorcycle owner and driver to manifest financial responsibility.
If you do things yourself, you're probably aware of the relation between safety and common sense. As an example, your common sense dictates never to step on the topmost rung of a ladder or that you always wear some eye protection while working with power tools that throw off sparks or splinters. We don't have to belabor the obvious.
Safety at work
Some people are pretty much aware of the risk of working around dangerous machineries. Some, for instance, grew up in the midst of farming equipment or worked for a long time in a sawmill. These people have learned that machineries have no regards for human flesh, so humans have to respect machines.
Some do-it-yourselfers have run into accidents because they chose to ignore the machinery's capacity to injure. Lack of respect for machines, including power tools and vehicles, stem from ignorance of workplace safety and fatigue.
A basic knowledge of safety in the workplace can save a lot of people using machines from incapacitating injuries. Do-it-yourselfers and inexperienced workers need to be educated on the more dangerous tools so they don't become accident statistics. Experienced workers who have been around power tools, heavy equipment and other dangerous machineries have learned to value them from day one. And all these years, they still have all their fingers and limbs intact to prove it.
Fatigue - prelude to danger
Now, fatigue is what's really emphasized here. Knowledge in the safe handling of tools and machines is a given, but fatigue is often overlooked as a prelude to danger. If you work as an electric company lineman, you are probably aware that your safety risks involve heights and electrical current. Education and experience have taught you to be concerned about them but as your level of fatigue increases, regards for caution and personal safety take a back seat.
When you succumb to fatigue, the possibility of getting sloppy and careless increases. Workers in construction yards, assembly plants, metal works and utility companies know the kinds of danger that is caused by fatigue. Even do-it-yourselfers who feel exhaustion setting in hurriedly struggle to finish their work at hand, and sometimes get hurt in the process.
Fighting fatigue
Although it is a sign to take it slow and easy, the onset of fatigue can be delayed through several ways:
- Get the right amount of sleep at night.
- There are foods that can induce drowsiness. Learn about the foods that help you stay alert.
- Avoid excess heat. Dress in loose clothing that let sweat evaporate easily. Wear light-colored clothes to deflect some of the heat absorbed by your body.
- When you feel drowsy, stop operating any machinery and splash cold water on your face to make you feel alert.
- Drink a lot of water to cool down your body's core temperature and prevent dehydration.
Most importantly, fatigue can affect eye-hand coordination. It can also affect your decisions. Stop whatever you're doing and give your body a chance to recover. It is important to be on the safe side because accidents are painful, costly, and sometimes fatal. Accidents, however, can also be prevented with enough presence of mind.
Both Lala C. Ballatan & Jamie Hanson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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