It's Spring! The time of year when riders will be pulling their motorcycles out of the garage, doing a little maintenance, and hitting the roads. In recognition of this, May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month because it is important to understand motorcyclists rights and privileges, which are the same rights and privileges as cars.

Share the Road!

Motorcyclists have the same rights and privileges as ALL drivers on the road. This means they are entitled to their space on the road, no matter the size of their ride. This also means that they must follow the same road laws as all drivers, including keeping a safe distance from other vehicles. During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May – and during the rest of the year – drivers are reminded to “share the road” with motorcyclists, and to be extra alert to keep motorcyclists safe.

Ride a Motorcycle? Always Wear a Helmet.

While I've helped many injured motorcyclists over my 23 years in practice, I'd much rather see you avoid the devastation that can result from a traumatic brain injury then become a client.

One of the simplest ways to prevent a life-changing injury is to wear a helmet while riding.

Here are the top three reasons why:

1. Be Seen While Riding

Many motorcycle helmets are now made with reflective ornamentation or reflective material. Even if you have an older favorite, such as a World War I or II fighting style helmet, you can decorate it with reflective ornaments and logos. The more reflective your gear, the better chance you have of being seen. This is critical given the increase in distracted drivers on our roads. It's a fact that motorcyclist injuries and fatalities are seldom the fault of the rider.

1. Reduce the Risk of Head Injuries

Headgear reduces the risk of TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) and other head injuries. Research proves that riders who wear headgear have a significantly lower rate of serious head injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14% of vehicle fatalities were motorcyclists. Of those head injuries make up the largest percentage of motorcyclist fatalities.

1. Deflect Road Debris

When you're driving a car, injury from road debris is not one of your main concerns. However, that is different on a a motorcycle. Rocks and other materials can fly into the eyes or hit the head  and can cause serious injuries. Headgear with a face guard is the best choice for protecting a rider's head and eyes.