Riding your motorcycle on the open road is the feeling of freedom and release. Whether you are strictly a pleasure rider or your motorcycle is your main mode of transportation, Lake Charles is a great place to ride your bike. The usually mild winters matched with the beautiful scenery of the lake front make our town a choice destination for bikers looking to enjoy the open road.
More motorcycles on the road create a higher risk of accidents that could lead to injury or even death. Awareness of the laws that Lake Charles’ officers enforce help keep visitors and residents of our city safe when they go out riding.
Before you put your riding gear on and head out to hit the open road to sight see or cruise to your job, read and follow these rules:
Wear a Helmet
Helmets might mess up your hair, feel heavy, or make you sweat a little, but they are vital for preventing head and brain injuries. Your chances of having an injury to your head or brain due to a motorcycle crash are lessened by 50% when you wear a helmet. If you don’t wear a helmet you will be held liable for not following the law and placing yourself at greater risk in the event of a motorcycle wreck.
Use Eye Protection
Motorcycles with windshields provide eye protection. If your bike doesn’t have a windshield, you must wear a face shield, goggles, or safety glasses that protect your eyes to be compliant with local law. When riding at night, tinted eye protection cannot be used.
No Multitasking
Doing more than one thing at once isn’t a good idea because your attention is divided. When you do this on a motorcycle it’s called distracted riding and it can lead to a crash. Local law states that a motorcyclist must have both hands free to operate the motorcycle at all times. If you have to pay attention to something else, like an urgent phone call, pull over to a safe area and take care of business one thing at a time.
Two Only
Who doesn’t enjoy spending time with friends? Riding around town on your motorcycle with friends is fun and can lead to some great talks when you’re stopped about what you’ve seen over the last few miles. Make sure you stay within the law when it comes to the number of people allowed on your motorcycle. That number is two! Break that law and run the risk of being ticketed and having your bike towed to a wrecker yard.
Avoid Weaving In and Out of Traffic
Constantly changing lanes and/or moving from left to right in your lane of traffic is considered dangerous. Since motorcycles are smaller than cars and trucks, they are more difficult for other drivers to see. Don’t complicate matters and put yourself at risk by weaving in and out of traffic.
The above basic rules of riding a motorcycle can lower your risk of being involved in a wreck that could lead to injury or even death. Be as safe as possible. Follow the law. Ride responsibly.
If something were to happen to you or someone you love while motorcycle riding, you will need an experienced, proven lawyer to stand by you and help prove you were following the law. NCR Legal is here to help. We are local and successful at representing motorcycle riders involved in accidents.