TxDOT reports motorcycle traffic crashes, deaths increase

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Texas Office of Transportation (TxDOT) described an increase in motorcycle targeted visitors crash fatalities.

Ray Pedraza, the community facts officer for TxDOT, mentioned the “Share the Road – Appear Twice for Motorcycles” marketing campaign is promoted in Could for Motorbike Safety Consciousness Thirty day period.

“In 2021 in the Pharr District, we had 225 crashes involving bikes, 5 motorcyclists either operators or travellers died, and 53 motorcyclists were being significantly hurt,” reported Pedraza.

He explained that the range of fatalities enhanced by 7% from 2020 to 2021.

Pedraza claimed the top rated contributing factors are velocity, driver inattention, and failing to yield the right of way.

He mentioned there are approaches to avoid motorcycle site visitors incidents.

“Pay further consideration when changing lanes use your flip signals, verify your side mirrors two times, and check out your blind spots 2 times. Shell out extra attention when passing a bike, preserve a risk-free length from the rider, go absolutely into the passing lane and give the motorcyclist a whole lane, reported Pedraza.

In addition to drivers currently being vigilant, Bernie Garza, a rider coach for Harley Davidson’s Using Academies in the valley, stated basic safety for riders is also significant.

“The basic safety part of driving a motorbike is often to be on the defensive, normally be on the defensive. Never believe that the individuals in the auto see you,” stated Garza.

Garza was a law enforcement officer on a bike and has now instructed bike programs for 7 many years, encouraging safety.

“Always use your signals, use your hand alerts, try to hold transferring your lane positioning, make positive that you are visible, put on your protective apparel, but some kind of vivid hues to make confident that you are seen,” he explained.

He stated wearing protecting equipment together with a helmet, gloves, boots, and jacket are vital.

Humeberto Rendon Jr., the gross sales supervisor at Mad Boar Harley Davidson in San Benito, claimed he functions with new and knowledgeable riders in acquiring into motorcycles but assures his buyers are knowledgeable of the security options accessible.

“I do not want to put them on a bicycle that is way too highly effective, what they do is journey the bike for a calendar year, get the hold of it, and then occur in for some thing greater the moment they previously experienced the practical experience, they’ve been on the expressway, they’ve by now ridden with a passenger,” he said.

He claimed a excellent way to discover safety is by taking a instruction system like the Driving Academy at the Harley Davidson retail outlet.