Thanks to Georgia's temperate climate, many people can and do make a motorcycle their primary mode of transportation on a year-round basis. There are a considerable number of motorcyclists, however, who choose to leave their bikes parked in the garage until spring rolls around, unwilling to deal with cooler temperatures, cold rain, and even frost. Given this reality, the number of motorcycles out on the roads and highways has undoubtedly increased in recent weeks and will likely only get higher over the coming months. Indeed, in recognition of the increased ridership that accompanies warmer weather, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has dubbed May Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. As part of this initiative, the Georgia Department of Driver Services is now urging all motorists to be aware of the increased presence of motorcyclists and for all parties to share the road. "Mutual responsibility is the safety message we are sharing with all…

When it comes to motorcycle helmet laws, it may surprise people to learn that there is a veritable patchwork of regulations across the 50 states. Indeed, 19 states have what is known as universal helmet laws, meaning all motorcycle operators and passengers must wear a helmet, while 28 states have laws requiring helmets for specific classes of riders. The remaining three states have no laws relating to helmets whatsoever. Interestingly enough, a lawmaker in neighboring Florida recently introduced a measure that, if passed, would make Florida the 20th state with a universal helmet law, effectively repealing a 2000 exemption allowing riders to go helmetless provided they are over 21 and carry a certain level of insurance coverage. While it remains to be seen what kind of reception this measure will receive in the Sunshine State, it naturally raises questions about what the law says here in Georgia. What type of helmet…

Even though the calendar shows we are rapidly approaching the midway point of August -- and the end of summer -- there's still plenty of time left for people to enjoy their favorite outdoor activities from fishing and softball to bicycling and, of course, motorcycling. Indeed, the coming weeks will undoubtedly see many motorcyclists out on the scenic highways throughout Georgia. While these riders will undoubtedly agree that there is no feeling quite like the open road, they will also undoubtedly agree that the risk posed by negligent motorists never really abates as the summer drags on. In other words, even though drivers should be accustomed to sharing the roads with motorcyclists by mid-August, the simple truth is that many still aren't looking for them, and still aren't properly judging distances when passing or pulling out from side streets. As alarming as this reality is during the daytime, consider how…

Despite the warnings, signs and education, many passenger vehicle drivers still do not pay attention to motorcyclists. Even though motorcyclists adhere to the same laws and have the same rights as other drivers, they are still one of the most overlooked travelers on the road. Unfortunately, even one moment of inattention can lead to a catastrophic accident and the loss of life. And, this threat is as great for motorcyclists as it is for pedestrians. Fortunately, there is a way for these victims of inattention and negligence to receive the financial relief they deserve after an accident. Motorcyclists are especially susceptible to accident due to a driver's failure to yield. These negligent acts, even at lower speeds, can produce enough of an impact on a motorcyclist's body to cause serious, life threatening injuries. Failure to yield is a crime, but when it results in injury or death to a motorcyclist it becomes…

Whether you ride a motorcycle as your primary mode of transportation or you simply ride for leisure, you have done the appropriate course work to get your license and you are aware of the inherent dangers around you. For the motorcycle driver, things that present themselves as minor inconveniences to automobiles and trucks become life-threatening hazards. For instance, a poorly lit street can disguise potholes or road debris from a tire blowout. This can equate to a flat tire or a dented bumper to an automobile and likely less damage to a commercial truck. However, for the motorcycle, this alters the balance of the driver and the operation of the machine and could cause the rider and the bike significant harm. Truthfully, the biggest threat for riders is other drivers. Inattentiveness, subtle swerving and reckless driving can have devastating and fatal consequences to the unseen motorcycle rider nearby. If you…

You read about it all the time and hear about it happening to others, but it doesn't feel real. Now, like a nightmare you cannot wake from, it has suddenly happened to you. Motorcycle drivers and their passengers are losing their lives or livelihoods by drunk, negligent or otherwise reckless drivers. State police confirmed that a recent motorcycle versus car wreck in Whitfield County ended in the tragic death of both the driver and the passenger of the motorcycle. The motorcycle's operator likely didn't stand a chance to avoid the accident, as an allegedly drunk driver swerved into the oncoming path of the motorcycle, resulting in a head-on collision. Even worse, the alleged instigator of the accident was reportedly operating the vehicle on a suspended license and was arrested for that crime as well as a DUI charge. If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one or have…

You're clearly at a big disadvantage when you come up against a car or truck while operating a motorcycle. Your size and speed may make you harder to spot to an attentive driver. Make that a distracted driver and the results can be disastrous, even deadly. Distraction, recklessness or negligence may have caused the wreck that occurred recently on Cummings Highway. A black four-door car with a blue bumper sticker was said to have fled the scene after veering into the motorcycle's lane, causing its riders to be thrown from the bike and into a guardrail. The motorcycle driver was killed, and the passenger was airlifted to a hospital and is reportedly in critical condition but is stable. There were alleged witnesses to the accident; ones that were able to give the discerning features of the other vehicle involved. When that vehicle's owner is identified, it is likely that a thorough investigation…

A motorcycle accident is often tragic, as a motorcyclist has little protection from his or her environment. One recent motorcycle accident in North Georgia has resulted in tragedy for one family that lost its loved one in late January. As the man's loved ones deal with the emotional turmoil stemming from their loss, they may also find themselves facing financial turmoil. The accident occurred Jan. 31 in Fort Oglethorpe, near Georgia's northern border, at an intersection on U.S. Highway 27. According to the report, the motorcyclist was in the northbound lane and a pickup truck, driven by a 74-year-old man, was in the southbound lane. The accident occurred when the truck's driver attempted a left-hand turn, causing the two vehicles to collide. Local law enforcement officials were still unsure of who was at fault in the accident when the report was written. They were continuing to investigate in hopes of…

The front page WSB-TV website on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, displayed two prominent stories that are connected, although unintentionally. The lead banner headline relayed details of a winter weather advisory for the Atlanta area, including probable accumulation of snow. In another story, a video covered the story of I-75 closing due to a tragic motorcycle crash involving a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer truck. This blog post discusses the increased dangers of riding motorcycles in winter in Georgia. Increased Number Of Accidents In The Winter Months There is no question that all drivers and passengers face increased dangers during the winter months. The federal Department of Transporation (DOT) Highway Safety Administration reports that during a typical winter driving season across the United States, nearly 7,400 drivers and passengers lose their lives, and nearly 675,000 more are injured in crashes. Many can be directly related to adverse weather and road conditions. Although…

Motorcyclists can never be too careful. The same can be said for everyone else on the road, particularly concerning how we navigate and share the roadways with motorcyclists. Drivers are often encouraged and reminded to look twice for motorcycles. A failure to look carefully may have contributed to the cause of why a woman's life was cut tragically short on a Sunday afternoon in December. A woman leaving a holiday Christmas parade in which she had driven her motorcycle was pronounced dead approximately a half-hour after her bike struck a van that allegedly pulled out of an apartment complex in front of her. The driver of the van was an elderly woman of nearly 90 years. No charges have been filed, and the elderly woman was taken to the same hospital as the deceased woman but was listed in stable condition. A passenger in the van was reportedly uninjured. When…