Oct 6, 2024 | Accident prevention, Motorcycle
Motorcycles are fun and enjoyable. They can double in fun and enjoyment with a passenger in tow. However, adding motorcycle passengers can be dangerous if the passenger does not properly handle the ride. Are you joining someone on a ride for the first time? Here are some tips to make a smooth ride for you and the rider.
Motorcycle Passengers: Useful Tips
Getting On and Off
For starters, motorcycle passengers are just that: passengers. Make sure the rider is on the bike first and ready for you to join. The rider should be stable with both feet on the ground. Use the footpegs to help. When getting off, make sure the rider knows your plans to do so! The change in weight can cause a rider to drop their bike.
Use them! Using the footpegs will keep your weight distributed between the pegs and the seat. This will make for a smoother, more stable ride. Also, remember you should never put your feet on the ground during a ride.
Motorcycle passengers should use the footpegs during the duration of the ride to maintain their safety. Additionally, there are hot exhaust pipes near the passenger seats of motorcycles. Using the footpegs will help you avoid touching those.
Proper Outfit
Safety-wise, wearing clothing that will cover and protect your skin is the best bet. Prepare yourself with proper safety equipment, such as a helmet, before going on a ride. But motorcycle passengers also have to watch out for their shoes. Untied shoelaces (and other loose pieces of clothing) can get caught on the chain or belt of the back of the bike. Ensure that nothing is hanging so nothing gets caught!
Lean With It
Some advice for handling motorcycles is “lean into the turn”. Motorcycle passengers shouldn’t lean too much, however. Leaning too much or unexpectedly can make it difficult for the rider to control the bike. Some advice for this is: look over the rider’s shoulder in the direction you are turning.
Lastly, and most importantly, operating a motorcycle is fun, as is being a passenger. Remember those motorcycle passengers have a responsibility to themselves and the rider to help create a safe riding environment. Have a fun and safe ride!
Sep 8, 2024 | Accident prevention, Motorcycle
For most people, an ideal motorcycle ride is when the sun is out and the weather is nice. However, as a motorcycle rider, there might be some times when you’ll have to ride in less-favorable conditions, like the rain. Rainy riding can be challenging, but also very doable…
Rainy Riding: Maintaining Safe Travels
Prepare your gear
Rainy riding means you’ll be facing a constant downpour, and at high speeds. That means that your usual riding gear might not be a good choice for keeping you dry and safe. Instead, you’ll want to get some specialty rain gear to help you handle these special rides.
You’ll want to get some gear that keeps you dry and your grip secure when rainy riding, while also being comfortable. Try to find a good balance between comfort and practicality. Give special attention to your visibility as well. Helmet visors tend to fog up in the rain, so investing in a special clear, anti-fog visor is a good idea.
Ride smoothly & smartly
When you ride in poor conditions, you’ll have to change how you handle your bike to stay safe. Riding faster or more aggressively in the rain will increase the risk of you getting into an accident. That’s why rainy riding involves going more smooth and making smart decisions.
For example, try to handle your throttle more gently than usual, making gradual changes rather than more drastic ones. Also, try to brake more gradually and give yourself plenty of breaking room. Slamming on the brakes while on a wet surface could result in them locking up, and then sending you and your bike into a slide. It’s better to give increased following distance to avoid these issues when rainy riding.
Watch intersections more closely
Intersections can already be quite risky for motorcycle riders. Rainy riding further increases the danger of these intersections. That’s why you should give all types of intersections special attention when the weather is less-than-ideal.
Approach these intersections slowly and cautiously. Keep an eye on other drivers around you, and don’t try to do anything risky like making a yellow light. When you’re stopped, take stock of the cars around you and who might be behind or beside you. It’s important to be aware of what’s going on around you so you can act accordingly.
Aug 25, 2024 | Accident prevention, Workers' Compensation
If you have a job on a construction site, or your job requires you to visit construction sites often, you need to be careful. Safety on construction sites is so important because these present more dangers than typical workspaces. A mishap in an office is often an annoyance. However, a mishap on a construction site could result in a serious injury. It’s important to have the proper equipment before you go to visit a construction site. Next, only necessary people should even be on a construction site in the first place. Training is really important to make sure that everybody is as safe as possible. And finally, and most importantly, being aware is the best way to prevent any sort of accidents. Construction sites can be dangerous if you are not careful, so be prepared before you even visit.
Safety on Construction Sites: Tips to Prevent Injuries and Accidents
Proper Equipment
Safety on construction sites starts with proper equipment. Before you even set foot onto one, you should have the correct safety gear. Most sites require hard hats anywhere you go to protect your head from falling debris. In addition, you might be required to wear eye protection like glasses or goggles or ear protection for loud noises. Finally, you should always wear the correct footwear before going to a construction site. You should have thick-soled work boots which will protect your feet if you step on a nail. They also will protect your ankles if the ground is uneven.
Restrict Access
You can keep safe on construction sites by making sure that only necessary people visit them. They are not open to the public, and you should always have permission before going to one. If your job requires you to visit them, make sure that you have somebody with you who knows the site well. They’ll be able to guide you away from dangerous areas. The fewer people on a construction site, the fewer possibilities for injury.
Training
One way to ensure safety on construction sites is to make sure that everybody is properly trained on them. Anybody working the site should be aware of safety practices. And any visitors should be briefed before they visit the construction site as well. There are many training videos and professionals out there who can help your company with safety training. Anybody setting foot on the site should be properly aware of its dangers and how to avoid them.
Be Aware
Finally, the most important factor of safety on construction sites is to always be aware of your surroundings. Many construction site accidents happen when debris falls on workers below. If there is any scaffolding on the site and workers are up high, always be careful before walking under them. Also, be aware of any heavy equipment on the site. Drivers may not be able to see you as easily, and might not be able to hear you over the sound of their machinery. Any time you’re on a construction site you should be very aware of your surroundings at all times.
Safety on construction sites is very important. You can get a serious injury easily if you’re not careful. Safety starts with making sure everybody on the site is wearing the proper safety equipment. In addition, you should limit the number of people on a site at all times to only those who absolutely need to be there. Before anybody visits, make sure that they have proper training. And finally, make sure that you and everybody on the site are very aware at all times. Being aware of your surroundings is the best way to ensure that no accidents happen. Hopefully, with these safety tips, you’ll be able to ensure safety for yourself and any employees if your job takes place on a construction site or requires you to visit them.
Aug 11, 2024 | Accident prevention, Driver Safety
Riding electric scooters has become very popular in recent years. However, they can become a hazard on the road if riders are not practicing safe driving skills. It’s important to remember that you’re still on a road with other traffic moving quickly. Injuries can still happen and be quite dangerous. Always wear a helmet to protect your head in case of a crash. In addition, never ride while under the influence of alcohol. Stay focused while riding and be a good defensive driver. By keeping all of these tips in mind, you can keep yourself safer on the road on an electric scooter. You can also help protect other drivers and pedestrians around you.
Safety Tips for Riding Electric Scooters: Keep Yourself and Others Safe
Wear a Helmet
While it may not seem like the most fashionable accessory, a helmet is very important when riding electric scooters. Studies have shown that almost half of all injuries from scooters are head injuries. Concussions and brain damage can easily happen if you’re in an accident and don’t have a helmet. Make sure that your helmet properly fits your head as well and fasten it every time you ride.
Only Ride Sober
Another important safety tip for riding electric scooters is to never ride while under the influence of alcohol. You can even be charged with a DUI or DWI if you get caught driving drunk. It may seem like a good solution to scooter home from the bar when you’re too drunk to drive a car. But the truth is that if you’re sharing the road with other cars or pedestrians, you can be in as much danger on a scooter. You’re more likely to make sudden erratic movements when intoxicated, which can lead to accidents.
Stay Focused While Riding
It’s important to always stay focused while riding electric scooters. Never listen to music on headphones while driving one. It’s important to be able to hear the road noises around you. That way, you’ll be able to hear if a car is trying to signal you with a horn. Never ride with headphones on. In addition, it’s never safe to drive a scooter while texting on your phone. In fact, it’s best not to even be distracted by phone calls while riding.
Be a Good Defensive Driver
Finally, riding electric scooters relies on your being a good defensive driver. Just like driving a car, driving a scooter means that you need to anticipate the moves of other drivers on the road. Don’t assume that cars know how to navigate around you or know exactly where you should be riding. In addition, never dart on in front of cars. Making sudden movements can be more likely to result in an accident. And of course, always watch for traffic and pedestrians before turning onto a street.
Riding electric scooters can be a fun and economical way to get around your city. In addition, they might be better for the environment. However, it’s important to remember that you still are driving on a public road with other cars and pedestrians. You still need to follow the rules of the road as well as practice good defensive driving skills. Make sure you aren’t intoxicated or distracted while driving. And finally, always wear a helmet to protect your head in case of a collision. By being aware of safety tips for electric scooters you’ll keep yourself, pedestrians, and cars around you safer on the road.
Jul 7, 2024 | Accident prevention, Driving
While we all like spending time with our pets, they can become a safety risk when in the car. Pets can become distractions when driving with them, and of course distracted driving is pretty unsafe. That’s why pet safety is important for any pet-having driver to know. This knowledge will help you keep both yourself and your pet safe when on the road…
Pet Safety: How To Drive With Them
Keep them restrained
It can feel a bit mean to restrain you pet while in the car. However, an unrestrained pet is both a risk for you, and at much more of a risk themselves. Unrestrained pets can get in the way of your driving, causing an accident. Plus, these unrestrained pets can end up either being injured by air bags, or flung from the car in an accident.
Therefore, a large part of pet safety is keeping them secure. There are some options here for how you can do this. For example, you can buy special pet seat belts which will keep them secured in the seats. You can also get a pet carrier for them. However, always make sure they ride in the back, as the front seats are too dangerous even with restraints.
Feed them beforehand
Another important part of pet safety is making sure they’re ready for the trip. Pets can get carsick just like us. Of course, it’s pretty distracting if someone gets carsick and potentially throws up out the window. Pets. however, will probably end up throwing up in your car, creating a pretty big distraction.
It helps to make sure that you feed your pet before your trip begins. Feeding them about 3 to 4 hours beforehand helps to do the trick. You’ll also want to bring extra food and water for them just in case. Make sure to let them out as well when you stop, so they can do things like go to the bathroom.
Don’t leave them in the car
You’d think that people would know not to leave their pets in locked cars. However, as seen by people who still do it, it’s an important part of pet safety that gets overlooked. Cars can heat up very quickly, especially in the summer. This can quickly become fatal if your pet is left alone for a long period of time. Therefore, if you can’t bring your pet inside with you, it’s best to leave them at home instead.
Jun 30, 2024 | Accident prevention, Driving
Driving, no matter how often we do it, is a dangerous act that requires skill, attention, and multitasking. While most of us take to the roadways every single day, there are plenty of drivers who fail to observe the basic rules of the road. Due to risky drivers, amongst other factors, it’s important that all of us take part in defensive driving. Defensive driving essentially means to drive with correct habits, and stay alert to present, and potential, dangers in the roadway.
While most of us do this to some degree, there are many others who don’t understand exactly how to go about it. So, we’re here to help. Below, you will find some basic tips for defensive driving and protecting yourself from potential accidents…
Defensive Driving: Tips for Staying Alert and Safe
Focus on the Task at Hand
One quick way to put yourself at risk, is to stop defensive driving and become distracted. Distractions keep you from being alert in terms of road conditions, and drivers around you. Distractions are everywhere, and we often indulge just a little bit. From answering a phone call, a text, and changing the song on the radio— taking your eyes, or mind, off of the road can be quite dangerous. Instead, focus on your surroundings. Answer the call or text later, make your playlist ahead of time, and keep your eyes on the road.
When In Doubt, Yield
Many accidents come from uncertainty about who has the right of way. Should you go? Or is it their turn? An inability to make quick decisions, and slight hesitation, can lead to an accident in an instant. So, if you aren’t sure about oncoming cars, a stop sign, or a yield— wait for the space to clear, and then take your turn. However, there are plenty of defensive driving techniques and road rules as to how to handle these situations. If you find that you’re unsure, do a little research in your time off of the road.
One rule of thumb I always use for stop signs, is to ‘peel off layers’ of cars. The first person to make a full stop takes their turn, then another person, and continue this pattern from all sides of the stop. Take some time, learn standard protocol, and become a better driver. We can all do things to become better drivers.
Watch for Blind Spots
Blind spots are one of the leading causes in accidents. Therefore, you have to know where yours are located in your vehicles. For most cars, the blind spots exist on either side towards the rear of the vehicles. Most blinds spots are worse on the right side, being that it is one opposite the driver. Therefore, you should always check over your shoulder before merging or switching lanes. In addition, defensive driving requires you to be aware of other’s blind spots as well. By staying out of their blind spots, you reduce your chances of being in an accident.
Defensive driving is all about anticipating the moves of other drivers. When you anticipate their moves, you can help prevent yourself from being in harms way. So, pay attention to the roadway, prepare for potential danger, and keep your eyes on the road. An accident can happen in any instant, do what you can to prevent them on your end.
