Motorcyclists Return To Virginia Roads As Weather Improves

VIRGINIA — As the weather starts to improve in the coming weeks, a greater number of Virginians will be getting on their motorcycles to enjoy the open road in the warmer temperatures.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles wants motorists to be aware of the growing number of motorcyclists and is urging motorcyclists to wear the proper gear when they head out on the road.

"Motorcyclists must do everything they can to protect themselves as they are sharing the road with vehicles that are many, many times the size of theirs," DMV Commissioner Richard Holcomb said in a statement. "Gearing up with the right safety equipment every time is the simplest way to do that."

Holcomb, who serves as Gov. Ralph Northam’s Highway Safety Representative, said that wearing the proper gear can save a motorcyclist’s life during a crash.

In 2020, 87 motorcyclists died in crashes on Virginia roadways, according to preliminary figures. More than 1,700 crashes involving motorcyclists were reported and 1,479 motorcyclists were injured; 672 of those injuries were categorized as serious.

Virginia law requires that motorcyclists and their passengers wear a helmet, which must meet or exceed the standards as specified by the Snell Memorial Foundation, the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or the U.S. Department of Transportation.

A rider without a helmet is 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury than a helmeted rider, according to the DMV.

Following a winter with snow and ice storms, early spring can be a dangerous time to ride because of sand and debris left on the roads. Motorcyclists should watch out for sandy spots on roads and intersections.

Motorcyclists and other types of road users, such as bicyclists and pedestrians, are more susceptible to serious injuries as a result of crashes because they are much smaller and lack the protections of larger vehicles on the road.

The DMV is offering tips to help motorists be more aware of motorcycles:

• Allow for extra following distance behind motorcycles because riders often slow down by downshifting or coasting, which means the brake lights are not always activated.
• Since a motorcycle's narrow profile can cause it to be hidden in a car’s blind spot when it’s behind a car, check rear view mirrors often to be aware of motorcycles approaching or following.
• Take an extra moment to look twice for motorcycles when changing lanes, turning at intersections, pulling out of driveways or pulling into traffic because motorcycles may look farther away than they actually are, and it can be difficult to judge a motorcycle's speed.
• Be mindful that a motorcycle's turn signals aren’t always self-canceling like a car's turn signals. Some riders, especially beginners, may forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change.
• Be aware that when motorcyclists adjust lane position within a lane, they are not being reckless or trying to show off. The adjustment is often made to improve visibility and to minimize the effects of debris, passing vehicles or wind.

For more information about motorcycle safety, visit tzdva.org.