MOTORCYCLE
a metal structure around them,” Vander Aa said. For motorcyclists, “the only protection is the riding gear they are wearing.”
Once in a crash, a motorcyclist’s prospects are bleak, Vander Aa said. A motorcyclist inevitably will be ejected, hitting another vehicle, the road or some other structure.
According to the state Department of Public Safety, motorcyclists are 26 times more likely than car occupants to die in traffic crashes. The Nevada Department of Transportation launched an initiative called “Zero Fatalities” 11 years ago with the goal of curtailing traffic deaths.
The campaign shares public safety tips for pedestrians, drivers and motorcyclists. It recommends that car drivers allow for three or four seconds of distance behind a motorcycle. Motorcycles should occupy a full lane of road to avoid collisions.
More than just a helmet can benefit motorcyclists. The Zero Fatalities campaign recommends sturdy footwear for motorcyclists, long pants, a full-length jacket, gloves and eye protection.
Vander Aa similarly suggests that motorcyclists don high-quality and high-visibility gear and dress as if a crash were imminent.
Motorcyclists also should take classes and practice emergency stopping, he said.
“Ride like you’re invisible. Be constantly watching for other traffic. Be ready for anything,” Vander Aa said.
Laura Gryder from the Center for Traffic Safety Research said other factors may have contributed to the surge in Clark County’s motorcycle deaths.
“The economic rebound could be an influence,” she said, adding that “just having more money” in one’s pocket may encourage increased driving.
But Vander Aa said the number of motorcyclists on the road is not rising much. Over the past five years, the number has increased only about 2 percent a year.
“We’re not seeing huge, huge numbers of people registering motorcycles,” Vander Aa said. Contact Rachel Hershkovitz at rhershkovitz@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Follow @ rzhershkovitz on Twitter.