A reminder to check twice for motorcycles — especially starting Friday as the roadways are expected to be packed full of motorcyclists for Bike Week, which is kicking off in Daytona Beach.
At Adamec Harley-Davidson in Jacksonville, you’ll find instructor Regi Davis, who hopes drivers will be patient and aware of their surroundings. He says it’s around this time of year when there’s an uptick in accidents involving motorcyclists.
“Every spring as more people get out and about on the road, and the weather is better, and then we have a surge of new riders — we’re gonna expect to see a little bit of an increase in the number of accidents,” Davis said.
On Wednesday, a motorcyclist was hit and killed on Jammes Road. And News4JAX has learned that a motorcyclist who was killed last Friday on Blanding Boulevard was a father of two children.
If you’re a driving an automobile, Davis says, always assume there’s a motorcycle in your blind spot — and check twice.
“Something to keep in mind is that motorcycles are very hard to see in a car,” Davis said. “For one, you’re not really looking or expecting to see motorcycles, and just the way the cars are designed that frame kind of blocks your view.”
A tip that goes both ways is to leave space so that you have time to slow down or speed up, if necessary.
“We shouldn’t be tailgating, so try to keep two or three seconds following distance from whoever or whatever is in front of you,” Davis said.
For motorcyclists, always remember to wear your protective gear.
Finally, he says the most important rule is to not drive intoxicated or compromised, for instance, if you’re upset or you didn’t get enough sleep.
Davis says the dealership offers riding lessons, whether you want to learn how to ride a motorcycle or you want to brush up on your skills.