Motorcycle Safety Month Emphasizes Riding Rules

By Jeff Gardenour | May 31, 2012

Winter Springs Police Chief Kevin Brunelle loves the power and thrill of riding a motorcycle, having been a motor officer for five years.

Although he no longer owns a bike because of time constraints, Brunelle knows that one misstep while riding can be disastrous. So, motorcycle safety always has been a top priority for the police chief.

Brunelle is such a strong advocate for motorcycle safety that when he read Gov. Rick Scott’s proclamation of May 2012, as being Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, his first thought was for how the declaration could have been more topic-specific.

“In reading the proclamation, it seems pretty normal for a proclamation,” said Brunelle, who was a motor officer for five years for the Winter Springs Police Department. “It would be nice to see a mention about wearing your protection equipment since it is about safety.”

Keeping motorcycle riders safe is something the Winter Springs Police Department takes special pride in. There have not been motorcycle fatalities or an increase in crashes in the city limits in the last 10 years, Brunelle said. The city currently employs four motor officers to help keep things running smoothly.

“I attribute this [good safety record] to strict traffic enforcement,” he said.

But, Brunelle knows those statistics can change in a heartbeat. Florida law does not require riders 21 and up, and those who carry an insurance policy to wear a helmet. That is, providing their insurance coverage is at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash while operating or riding on a motorcycle.

In 2001, the State of Florida repealed a law requiring most motorcycle riders to wear a helmet. But, motorcycle headgear usage is slowly making a comeback because of a campaign by the Florida Department of Transportation to encourage riders to wear helmets. Still, Brunelle sees room for improvement.

Although Florida law does require riders to wear eye protection and have foot pegs for passengers, there is no law concerning wearing proper footwear, gloves or jackets and pants. And then there is the helmet issue.

“I see a lot of riders without helmets and would love to see more use of helmets,” Brunelle said.

Requiring more protection for riders may be on the horizon. According to national data, more Americans ages 45 and older are riding motorcycles than in previous years. Consequently, that age group has seen an uptick in motorcycle fatalities in recent years.

Nearly half of the motorcycle drivers – 44 percent, in fact – who were killed in crashes in Florida in 2010 were 45 or older, according to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. To help bring awareness for an increase in safety among all riders, the DHSMV joined Scott in his proclamation as May being Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

“In 2008, Florida lawmakers passed a law that requires training before getting a motorcycle endorsement on a driver license,” DHSMV Executive Director Julie L. Jones said in a release. “Since then, we have seen the number of motorcycle crashes fall every year. Motorcycle riding is an activity that can be enjoyable for a lifetime, and all riders should get endorsed and take steps to ride safely.”

In Oviedo, there has been just one motorcycle fatality in the last several years, Oviedo Professional Standards Lt. Mike Beavers said. He said the governor’s proclamation is a good start to bring safety awareness to Florida’s riders.

“I think for people riding motorcycles, it’s about being aware of your surroundings, watching out for hazards and watching out for each other,” Beavers said.

The City of Oviedo currently has three motor officers to help monitor and ensure public safety, Beavers said. But, the real key to motorcycle safety may lie in educating the public, something that Attorney Michael B. Brehne is very familiar with.

Brehne, a former police detective and accident investigator, is a partner with the Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A, an Altamonte Springs-based firm that specializes in complex personal injury litigation for motorcycle accident claims throughout Florida.

On the firm’s website – www.bikerlaw.com – Brehne, an avid biker, offers web surfers a detailed list of legal offerings, accident reports, motorcycle resources and a biker blog, among other things. One of the firm’s blogs – the top five rules of the road for motorcyclists – is a well-read piece.

The top five rules of the road for motorcyclists, according to Brehne, are:

1. Wear the right apparel, including eye protection, sturdy-grip shoes, jacket, and pants.

2. Wear an approved helmet by the DOT.

3. Ride smart by not driving aggressively.

4. Avoid alcohol and drugs.

5. Adhere to maintenance schedules, including tire and brake upkeep.

Beavers said any type of motorcycle safety awareness is a good thing. Awareness, after all, saves lives.

“Anytime you bring awareness for the safety of the public, it’s a good idea,” he said.