It’s Warmer Across Texas Which Means Watch Out for Our Two Wheeled Friends

In between the few days of rain we get, the weather is basically perfect in East Texas. That means that more and more people want to get outside and soak in some vitamin D. Part of that soaking-in time could be while riding a motorcycle. The entire month of May is dedicated to bringing awareness of looking out for our two wheeled friends on the roads.

Not Paying Attention

Many drivers refuse to concentrate on the one important thing while driving, driving. Every day during my commute from Lindale to Tyler, I would say that about 20 percent of the drivers I am next to are doing something other than driving. Most of those 20 percent are buried in their phone.

The dangers of using your phone or doing something else while driving needs to be driven home more purposefully when teens are taking driver's education. Passengers need to call out the driver more often when they are doing something other than driving.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

TxDOT wants to make sure you are paying extra attention for motorcycle riders. When you look left and right at an intersection, do it again just to be sure. It won't take that much longer to do so. Give plenty of room between you and the motorcycle rider, also.

The roadway respect goes the other way, too. Motorcycle riders, it is not okay nor is it legal to drive in between cars when everyone is stopped at a red light, otherwise known as lane splitting. I have seen this numerous times on South Broadway. Wait like everybody else. We are also aware that you can accelerate much faster than a car or truck can. That doesn't mean you can whip around someone and fly by. It's harder to see you so just that action alone could cause a serious accident.

Bottom line, respect everyone that is on the road with you. Put your phone away or use the handsfree options that are available in your vehicle. Doing just both of those will greatly reduce any issues we have on the road.

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