If you are like many motorcycle enthusiasts in the Norfolk, Virginia Beach and eastern areas of North Carolina, you are reluctant to put your bike away during the cold winter months. The annual arrival of old man winter does not need to mean the end of your motorcycle riding, as long as you are careful.
While you can’t control the actions of other motorists, here are a few things to look out for when hitting the road on two wheels this winter.
- Slippery road surfaces. Rain, ice, sleet, hail, snow – even fallen leaves – these can all contribute to making road surfaces slick and slippery. Motorcycle tires have less traction on these types of surfaces, so use extra caution when navigating winter roads.
- Pot holes can be bigger than they seem. In the winter, debris, water and snow can fill pot holes, making them look smaller than they really are. Be extra careful when riding over what seems to be a small hole or just a puddle – it might be deeper than you think.
- Careless pedestrians. In the winter days are short which means more darkness in the mornings and evenings when pedestrians are out and about. Cold weather can also make people less attentive to what is going on around them, as they hurry to get to their destination so they can get out of the cold and bad weather. If you see pedestrians on or near the road, stay as far as possible away from them lest they suddenly dart into the road.
- Tree sap on the road. Trees release a great deal of sap during warm weather months, and once the weather turns cold winter rain can wash all that sap onto road surfaces, making them slippery and dangerous. Use extra caution when riding near trees.
- Road markings are slippery when wet. The white and yellow lines painted onto the road surface to help motorists stay in their lane can become very slick in the rain. They can also collect road debris like dirt and fuel deposits, making them even slicker. When there’s water on the road, be careful when riding on or near road markings.
- Winter motorcycle corrosion. Wintery road mix – the salt and water than is thrown up onto your bike when you ride – can be damaging to your rims and paint. Prevent corrosion by cleaning your bike well after you ride in bad weather.
No matter how careful you are when riding your motorcycle on Virginia or North Carolina roads, you can’t always protect yourself from careless motorists. If you are involved in a serious motorcycle crash and you need the help of a skilled personal injury attorney with proven experience handling motorcycle injury cases, please contact the lawyers at Tavss Fletcher today.
TAVSS FLETCHER
RBC Centura
555 East Main Street, 14th Floor
Norfolk, VA 23510
Telephone: (757) 625-1214
Facsimile: (757) 622-7295