On two wheels
The start of the next motorcycle season is just around the corner: the number of two-wheeled vehicles will increase dramatically on the roads. Izvestia found out what motorcyclists and other road users need to pay attention to in order to avoid incidents on the road.
Skills are lost
Last year, according to official accident statistics in our country, more than 9,5 thousand accidents were recorded due to traffic violations by motor vehicle drivers, in which 934 people died and more than 10 thousand were injured. According to statistics, 81% of such accidents occurred in populated areas, and the causes of death of almost half of motorcyclists were exceeding the set speed and choosing it incorrectly, without taking into account weather and road conditions. More than 66% of motor transport drivers who caused accidents last year did not have the right to drive, according to the State Traffic Inspectorate.
Along with direct traffic violations, motorcycle accidents are often caused by overconfidence of bikers, says motorcycle expert and motorcycle instructor Roman Sitnikov. After winter, even experienced motorcyclists lose their skills in driving two-wheeled vehicles, he notes. For novice motorcyclists who have recently "mounted", due to lack of practice in winter, the loss of skills is even more pronounced, the expert emphasizes. He strongly discourages motor vehicle drivers from taking to the roads immediately.
— Some motorcyclists have an opinion that, they say, the hands remember. This is a very dangerous misconception — often such self-confidence, especially at the very beginning of the motorcycle season, leads to accidents. A few months without practice seriously affects motorcycle driving skills, they must be restored, feel how the equipment behaves," the motorcycle expert emphasizes.
According to him, a couple of hours spent at a motorcycle track or other closed area is enough for experienced drivers to do this. Those who have recently obtained a motorcycle license need much more time — it makes sense for them to take several classes with an instructor who will tell them what to pay attention to and recommend that they additionally work out this or that exercise, advises Roman Sitnikov.
We prepare the equipment
After winter downtime, the motorcycle also requires special attention and control over its technical condition. Before making a trial trip on it, it is necessary to make sure that it is in full working order, experts remind. First of all, you should pay attention to the condition of the tires. Any crack or hernia on a motorcycle tire, even the smallest one, is a potential time bomb. Such rubber must necessarily be replaced with a new one, even if the tread itself is not yet worn out. You should also check the serviceability of the brake system: over the winter, the calipers and their guides may sour and begin to wedge. It is also necessary to check the steering and the condition of the motorcycle chassis.
— The ideal option is to bring the motorcycle to a technical center before the start of the season, where professional mechanics will check its condition and, if necessary, replace worn or defective parts. This will ensure the safe operation of motor vehicles," advises Roman Sitnikov.
In addition to the motor vehicles themselves, motorcyclists need to check their readiness for the season and the availability of equipment — a helmet, special shoes, clothing with protective inserts or inflating elements, the Main Directorate for Road Safety recalls The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. In the event of an unforeseen situation on the road, it is protective equipment that reduces the risk of serious injury to a motorcyclist and increases his chances of surviving an accident, the State Traffic Inspectorate emphasizes.
Be mindful of the weather
The behavior of a motorcycle on the road seriously depends on weather and road conditions, Roman Sitnikov notes. When opening the motorcycle season, bikers need to constantly remember that changeable spring weather can bring them an unpleasant surprise.
— In just an hour, warm sunny weather can change to cold weather with rain. Motorcycle tires cling much worse to cold and wet asphalt. In such weather, it is better not to go out on the roads on two—wheeled vehicles at all, and if bad weather has caught a motorcyclist on the way, then he needs to significantly reduce speed and avoid any sudden maneuvers, the motorcycle instructor recommends.
In addition, at the beginning of the season, motorcyclists may face winter traps in the form of remnants of deicing reagents and sand on the roadway. The risk of losing control of the motorcycle during sudden maneuvers or braking on such "dirty" sections of the road is very high, the motorcycle expert notes. There is only one recipe — to choose a safe speed mode so that it allows you to react in a timely manner to the appearance of such traps.
Rights and insurance
— A driver's license of the appropriate category is required to operate motor vehicles. For mopeds, this is the M category or any other automotive category. Category A license is required to ride a motorcycle. The absence of the appropriate category in the driver's license when driving motorcycles is a gross violation of traffic regulations, for which a fine of 5-15 thousand rubles is provided," said Anton Belan, Deputy head of the Department for Road Safety Promotion and Prevention of child traffic injuries of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, Police Colonel.
In addition, the motorcycle driver is obliged to insure his civil liability by issuing a CTP policy for the equipment, otherwise the motorcyclist will face a fine of 800 rubles for the first time, and in case of repeated violation it will amount to 3-5 thousand rubles, the Traffic Police remind.
Pit bikes are not for roads
It is forbidden to drive on public roads on certain types of motorcycles, even if the driver has a motorcycle license, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. We are talking about the so-called pit bikes, which are sports equipment, do not have rear-view mirrors and lighting equipment and are intended for use exclusively on racing and sports tracks, the department recalls.
— Unfortunately, this technique has become widespread among children and teenagers. An analysis of road accidents involving underage drivers shows that they most often get into accidents on pit bikes. Moreover, parents often buy this equipment for them, underestimating the danger it poses," says Anton Belan.
On the eve of the warm season, he urged parents not to succumb to the persuasions of children and not to buy them motorcycles. If a child wants to learn how to drive a motorcycle, it is better to enroll him in the sports section. There, on a closed motorcycle polygon, in special equipment and under the guidance of a professional trainer, the child will be able to safely master the skills of controlling such equipment. In addition, Anton Belan reminded parents of the obligation to keep keys and documents from motorcycles or other vehicles in a place inaccessible to the child.
Everyone get ready
Igor Morzharetto, a member of the presidium of the Public Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, believes that not only motorcyclists, but also motorists should prepare for the start of the motorcycle season. This will avoid the ridiculous accidents that occur due to the fact that the driver of the car simply did not notice the motorcyclist.
— The traffic regulations prescribe the obligation of all drivers to turn on the turn signal in advance before the maneuver. With the onset of the motorcycle season, this requirement becomes even more relevant — a timely turn signal on the car will allow the motorcyclist to prepare in advance for the motorist's maneuver, the expert emphasizes.
In addition, with the advent of a large number of two-wheeled vehicles on the roads, drivers should look in the rear-view mirrors more often, Igor Morzharetto reminds. In turn, motorcyclists should remember to turn on the low beam even during the day — this makes them much more visible in the flow of traffic, he notes.
— Motorcyclists should give up numerous overtaking, constant lane changes, and driving between cars. They should also avoid moving in close proximity to large vehicles. Due to the design features, heavy trucks and buses have very large dead zones that a motorcyclist can get into," Igor Morzharetto reminded.
One of the most common and at the same time the most severe types of accidents involving a motorcycle is a collision with a car, the driver of which began to turn or turn around, Roman Sitnikov notes. Such accidents often occur due to the fact that a motorist does not expect a motorcycle to appear and is sometimes not ready to respond in a timely manner to a suddenly changed traffic situation.
— It seems to the motorist that the motorcycle is still far away, they say, I will have time to turn. But after a couple of seconds, a motorcycle can crash into the side of a car," he says. — To avoid such accidents, motorists should keep in mind the speed of motorcycles, and motor vehicle drivers should slow down when approaching an intersection or noticing a car that is about to turn or turn around.
The State Traffic Inspectorate and other departments are making every effort to make the upcoming motorcycle season as comfortable and safe as possible, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. However, in order for it to be successfully completed in the fall, mutual respect between motorists and motorcyclists is necessary, as well as strict compliance with traffic regulations by all road users, the traffic police emphasize.
The material was prepared as part of the implementation of the federal project "Road Safety" of the national project "Infrastructure for Life".
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
