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North Carolina's Motorcycle Laws
North Carolina motorcycle laws are meant to protect motorcyclists and drivers from serious accidents and injuries. Following motorcycle laws helps to save lives.
August 14, 2010 /Automotive PR News/ -- With the summer season well underway, North Carolina motorcyclists are hitting the road in droves. And why not? Motorcycling can be a great way to enjoy the favorable weather, as well as a practical, fuel-efficient form of transportation. However, before taking their machines to the streets, motorcyclists may want to brush up on North Carolina's state motorcycle laws. Not only can knowing and following the law can help you avoid tickets, it just might save your life.
An Overview of Motorcycle Laws in North Carolina
Traffic laws, especially those pertaining specifically to motorcycles, can vary widely from state to state. As such, it is important to keep up to date on local requirements.
As of 2008, North Carolina law requires all operators and passengers on motorcycles and mopeds to wear safety helmets that comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Eye protection, however, is not mandatory (although sporting a pair of goggles or even sunglasses while riding is generally a good idea). Passenger safety is a significant concern in North Carolina; motorcycle passengers must have their own seats and footrests.
Further motorcycle requirements include the daytime use of headlights, mandatory left or right mirrors and periodic safety inspections for bikes being used on the road. While turn signals are not required in North Carolina, they are effective in warning other drivers of the presence of a motorcycle, and they help prevent accidents. In order to obtain a motorcycle license, riders must pass a skill test. Finally, drinking and riding is always a poor combination, and it is prohibited by law.
How Laws Relate to Motorcycle Accidents
Even though motorcycle laws may at times feel unduly restrictive, they are in place to protect riders and their passengers. Most relate directly to common causes of motorcycle injuries or accidents. North Carolina's helmet law is the obvious example. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that, nationwide, helmets saved 1,784 motorcyclists' lives in 2007, and that 800 more could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.
Making sure that helmets comply with Federal Standards is also an important aspect of complying with North Carolina's motorcycle laws. Using a federally certified helmet cuts the risk of dying in a crash by 37 percent, but counterfeit safety certification of cheap novelty helmets is a growing problem, so be sure your helmet is up to standards.
The rationale behind other laws may be less readily apparent, but rider safety is still a key concern. Intersections are the most likely place for motorcycle accidents to occur, often due to other vehicles violating motorcycle right of way or failing to yield. The most common configuration of accidents between cars and motorcycles is when an automobile makes a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. Because motorcycles make smaller visual targets than other vehicles, they are more likely to be obscured by other objects or weather conditions. The daytime headlight law makes motorcycles more visible to other drivers, preventing failure-to-yield accidents. Furthermore, the mandated presence of a left or right mirror allows bikers to be more aware of their surroundings and allows them to watch out for inattentive drivers.
Another common cause of accidents is a lack of riding skills; rider error is the precipitating factor in two-thirds of single-vehicle accidents. North Carolina's skill test is one way to ensure that riders have at least a basic proficiency in motorcycle operation. However, additional state-funded rider education is available to all eligible license applicants, and can be an effective and affordable way to improve your motorcycle skills.
Drinking and riding is a significant contributor to motorcycle deaths. In 2007, 26 percent of North Carolina bikers killed in traffic accidents had a blood-alcohol concentration above the legal limit. An additional 7 percent of had been drinking but had BACs within the legal range. Obeying North Carolina's impaired driving laws can save you from hefty punishments, or worse.
If You Have Been Involved in an Accident
In 2007, 195 North Carolina motorcycle riders were killed in accidents. The best way to avoid becoming part of such a statistic is to be a careful, observant rider, and to obey all motorcycle laws. Of course, accidents happen to even the most skilled riders. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, first and foremost, seek medical attention. Few motorcyclists involved in accidents escape without injury, and your health must come first.
After receiving medical treatment, you should contact an attorney. The fact is, the failure of other motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the leading cause of motorcycle accidents. It is likely that another driver is at fault for your injuries, and you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage or other harms. An experienced motorcycle injury attorney can help protect your rights, and help you obtain fair compensation for your injuries.
Article provided by The Karney Law Firm
Visit us at www.karneylaw.com
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