There are many reasons for serious bicycle accidents on the roads of California, but one's failure to keep in the proper lane is a factor that has contributed to approximately 20% of all bike accident related fatalities in the state since 2002.
According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, an average of 24 bicyclists have died each year in California from 2002-2006 because they have either failed to keep in the proper lane or biked on the wrong side of the road. In 2006, California bike accident fatalities caused by not staying in the proper lane accounted for 66% of the nation's total.
California has certain factors that play a role in these glaring statistics; such as a high population, many busy cities, and winter conditions in many areas for extended periods of time each year; however there is no excuse for so many fatalities such as these. Regardless of the situation around you, there are often a number of things you can do to avoid this type of bike accident.
Here are a few tips that will help you stay in the proper lane so you can safely bike in California:
Follow the Rules of the Road: In California, you should always bike with the traffic, not against it, and stay as far to the right of your lane as possible. If there is a bicycle lane, you should stay in it at all times until the lane ends.
Look Ahead: Sometimes you might need to swerve out of your lane due to an unexpected obstacle. There are many things that may jump out at you causing you to maneuver, but by looking ahead and understanding where other vehicles are you should be able to avoid a serious collision.
Maintain Your Bike: Your traction and ability to maneuver are extremely important factors for avoiding bike accidents. Make sure the tread on your tires are good and fix any minor problems to your bike as they arise in order to bike safely.
Stay Alert: Never bike when you are drowsy or intoxicated. If you really need to get somewhere, call a friend or a taxi to get you home.
It doesn't matter where you are in California, whether it's Los Angeles or Eureka, you need to put safety first. By understanding the rules of the road and biking carefully, you'll avoid being in a bike accident and ending up as another tragic statistic in California.
Author Resource:-
John Bisnar is a partner at Personal Injury Law Firm Bisnar Chase. The Bisnar Chase law firm has dedicated their practice to victims of serious injury due to negligence and malpractice.
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