Motorcycles take a certain amount of skill, and it's important for riders - especially very young riders - to make sure they're properly trained to avoid hurting themselves and other people, including passengers.
Earlier this month, a 15-year-old boy was killed in Karns, Tennessee, after a run-in with an SUV. The boy was passing the Ford Explorer when the driver unexpectedly turned into a private driveway, colliding and running both vehicles off the road. The boy, a popular member of his high school, died that morning. Later that day his classmates held a roadside vigil and mourned the loss of their peer.
Motorcyclists are very vulnerable on the open road, and sadly, this young man's life may have been spared had he been in a car. Now, his family and friends are faced with prepping for a funeral and continuing life without their loved one. Devastating accidents such as this happen all too often, but with the proper precautions, the number of motorcycle accident deaths could be significantly less.
No matter what type of vehicle you drive, it is absolutely necessary to always be aware of others on the road. As a biker, safety precautions such as helmets, protective clothing, extra reflective lights, and just simply surveying the road can help tremendously while driving.
If there's any good to come out of this situation, perhaps it is that his peers may now recognize the importance of safe driving, in a motorcycle or a car. We sometimes seem to forget that crashes and other traffic accidents can happen to anyone.
Source: WBIR.com, "Karns High School student killed in motorcycle crash," Mary Scott, Oct. 12, 2012.
· Our firm handles accidents like this one on a regular basis. Please visit our Nashville motorcycle accidents page for more information on our practice.