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MAY IS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH


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May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. If you are a rider or plan to become one, this is a great time to familiarize yourself with Georgia’s motorcycle laws.

Safety Gear

All riders, regardless of age or experience, must wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet while riding in the state of Georgia. In addition, all riders, including passengers, must wear eye protection unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen.

While not required, it is always a good idea to wear heavy-duty jackets and pants, in addition to leather boots and gloves. Remember, when involved in a motorcycle accident, the only thing in between a rider and the road is the gear they are wearing. Proper gear can help prevent some serious injuries.

MOTORCYCLE REQUIREMENTS

Motorcycles in Georgia must be equipped with:

  • Both front and rear brakes
  • At least one side mirror
  • One (but not more than two) headlamps in operation at all times
  • Taillights in operation at all times
  • Brake lights
  • Turn signals

Motorcycles carrying a passenger must be designed to do so, have appropriate seats, and have footrests for the passenger. Handlebars cannot be more than 15 inches above the seat occupied by the operator.

Before you ride, it is a good idea to perform safety checks. AAA uses the acronym T-CLOCS to make it easier for motorcyclists to remember to check:

  • Tires and Wheels
  • Controls
  • Lights and Electrics
  • Oil and Fluids
  • Chassis
  • Stands

Making sure to check these things before setting out can help prevent mechanical or other types of failure that can lead to motorcycle accidents.

Rules of the Road

Motorcyclists are required to follow all of the rules of the road such as traffic signals and speed limits. In addition, lane splitting is illegal in the state of Georgia. So too is riding with more than one motorcycle in the same lane. These laws are intended to keep motorcyclists and their passengers safe and to help prevent serious or fatal injury in the case of an accident.

DO YOU NEED HELP?

Safe motorcyclists help prevent causing accidents, they may not be able to avoid an accident from being caused by someone else. When this happens, victims of motorcycle accidents are entitled to seek compensation through legal action.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Georgia, Lourie, Chance, Forlines, Carter & King is here to help. Please call our Atlanta office at 404-760-7400 to schedule a free consultation today.