General Headquarters — Columbus, Ohio
For Immediate Release: September
27, 2005
Contact: OSHP - Lt. Rick Zwayer or Sgt. Jon Gray (614) 752-2792
American Motorcyclist Association - Tom Lindsay (614) 856-1900 ext. 1357
Columbus – We are entering perhaps the best riding season for motorcyclists. There’s nothing like riding through a tunnel of trees with their leaves changing. At the same time, with changing weather and the possibility of varying road conditions, motorcyclists should still keep safety in mind.
To help make it a safe and enjoyable motorcycle riding season, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is providing an 11-part series of motorcycle safety tips from the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) as part of our Ride Smart. Drive Smart. partnership. The final part of our series for this year features suggestions for riding in the autumn and winter months.
• Insulate your body like you would insulate your home. Layering of clothes is the best option and also consider where, when, and for how long you intend to ride.
• Hands can be particularly vulnerable. Gauntlet-style gloves will help keep your fingers warmer longer. The extra length up your sleeve helps to seal cold air out and warm air in.
• A full face helmet will keep you warm as well as give your head maximum protection in a crash.
Slippery road surfaces can be commonplace during autumn and winter riding, but they don’t have to be dangerous. To ride safely on slippery surfaces:
• Slow down before you get to a slippery surface to lessen your chances of skidding because your motorcycle needs more distance to stop. It is particularly important to reduce speed before entering wet curves. Any sudden change in speed or direction can cause a skid. Be as smooth as possible when you speed up, shift gears, turn or brake.
• Dirt and gravel collect along the sides of the road, especially on curves and ramps leading to and from highways. Be aware of what’s on the edge of the road, particularly when making sharp turns and getting on or off freeways at high speeds.
• Rain dries and snow melts faster on some sections of a road than on others. Patches of ice tend to develop in low or shaded areas and on bridges and overpasses. Wet surfaces or wet leaves are just as slippery. Ride on the least slippery portion of the lane and reduce speed.
• Get Trained (including knowing proper safety gear to wear)/Get Licensed;
• Stay Sober (incorporating the AMA’s national Ride Straight program); and
• Other vehicle drivers, be aware by looking out for motorcyclists.# # #
Note to editors: Taken from the American Motorcyclist Association article, “Autumn Winds,” October 2004, and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s, “Motorcycle Operator Manual.” For more information about the American Motorcyclist Association, visit www.AMADirectlink.com or call 1-800-AMA-JOIN. For more information on Ride Smart. Drive Smart. visit, http://statepatrol.ohio.gov/motorcycle.htm.
05-161
www.statepatrol.ohio.gov
A division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety
