Safe Motorcycle Driving While Carrying a Passenger
Driving a motorcycle can be dangerous and requires safe driving habits. Equally important is knowing how to drive a motorcycle safely when carrying a passenger.
Some Missouri voters are lobbying to place restrictions on motorcyclists in regard to carrying passengers. With good reason. The fatality rate for a driver and passenger in a motorcycle crash is 5.5 times higher than those of passenger cars. The suggested proposal will require that a motorcycle driver be at least 21 years old before being allowed to carry a passenger. In addition, they would have to complete a safety class focused on passenger safety. Having a passenger on the back of a bike changes the whole dynamic of how it drives and could cause the driver to crash or wipe out. As a passenger you have the right to be compensated for your injuries if you were hurt in a motorcycle accident
. A personal injury attorney can explain all of your rights to you and see that you are compensated.
If you are a motorcyclist getting prepared to take someone for a ride for the very first time there are some things you should know. Your passenger is going to affect how your motorcycle usually handles. Their presence adds weight to the vehicle which will change the dynamics of your brake system. You may have to apply the brakes sooner than normal, but the extra weight on the back tire may actually make the rear brake more effective, good if you have to come to a sudden stop. The additional weight will also affect how the bike handles a turn. Before taking on a passenger you should consider all of these possibilities and prepare yourself for the change in your motorcycles performance.
If you are preparing to ride as a passenger there are some important things you need to know as well. During your ride keep your feet on the footpegs. Even when stopped. The only time you should remove your feet from the pegs is when you are ready to get off. Your hands should rest on the drivers hips, not wrapped around his waist. This will allow you to follow the movements of the driver. Do not move around, rather keep your weight centered. During a turn position your head in the same direction. If the bike is making a left, look over the left shoulder of the driver and vice versa. Try to anticipate stops and brace for them. Your body will be moved forward into the drivers, hindering his ability to control the motorcycle. Use the foot pegs to help keep your body in position.
In the event that you do crash while riding on the back of the motorcycle you have the right to be compensated for your injuries regardless of fault. A Missouri motorcycle passenger was able to settle a claim for $150,000 after she fractured her leg in a collision with another vehicle.
Only 95,000 signatures are needed to get the bill restricting younger motorcycle drivers from carrying passengers onto the 2014 ballot. If enacted into law it will save thousands of young adults from being injured in a motorcycle crash. If you were hurt while riding on the back of a motorcycle ask a St. Louis motorcycle lawyer to review your case.
