Motorcycle safety tips following deadly crashes in recent months

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Motorcycle drivers have been hospitalized, and in some cases, lost their lives in recent crash incidents across the region, shining a light on motorcycle safety.

With riding season winding down, Syracuse Police Department’s Sergeant Thomas Blake wants people to know of the dangers on the open road and how to stay safe.

Unlike cars, there is no cage of protection to keep the driver safe on a motorcycle. Due to limited safety features, Sgt. Blake said it is important that drivers take every step they can to be prepared before turning the key in the ignition.

Sgt. Blake knows about how to stay safe on the roads, and when it comes to motorcycles, he knows all too well. He lost a dear friend of his in a motorcycle crash nearly a year ago.

“…just driving home from work,” Sgt. Blake said. “Somebody made a left-hand turn in front of him…they’re not expecting to see that motorcycle come up in the other lane. That’s what happened to him. He lost his life as a result of it.”

A person is 29% more likely to get in a crash on a motorcycle than in a car, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration. With that data at hand, Sgt. Blake said he noticed a common denominator in incident reports.

“A lot of the times…it’s driver inattention,” he said. “Could be on the person that’s operating the motorcycle…or it could be on the person that’s operating the vehicle next to them.”

Sgt. Blake wants motorcyclists to stay alert, anticipate danger, and be defensive drivers at all times. He also encourages riders to take a motorcycle safety course, regardless of their skill level, and for everyone to remember that they are precious cargo and should always protect themselves.

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