You Said What? Marion Patch Readers Debate Motorcycle Safety

When we reported on the motorcycle traffic accident that claimed the life of , we decided to ask you to weigh in on motorcycle safety rules.

There was some , a sometimes excessive use of caps lock, but overall, a lot of intersting things were said. The discussion ranged from helmets to texting to staying alert. 

I've included some of the more interesting and informative statements below. Add your thoughts in comments.

Stay at least two car lengths behind a motorcycle when it is stopped. If you are rear ended and are to close to a motorcycle you will be driven into the bike in front of you and will probably kill the person on the bike.

The safest motorcycle driving is not driving one at all. I gave up my ride several years ago. Doesn't matter how defensive you drive, how many laws you pass, or how much you beg car drivers to be alert. The risk is there.

Yes, car drivers need to become aware again as the weather warms up but we also need a helmet law I have to wear a seatbelt why is there no helmet law?

Not much can be done except to beg drivers to watch for bikers, I have seen several fatalities this year and known several people who lost their lives because they love their bikes. It should not be a choice, the road is big enough for all of us. What can you do add a bike lane that cars cannot cross, I bet they cross it and wipeout a few bikers they just didn't see. The famous line.

Been riding thirty years and have avoided my fair share of accidents. Honestly seems to have increased with the new technologies distracting drivers ie, texting, etc. Also the number of new riders continue to go up, I think rider saftey courses should be required for motorcyle endorsment and driver safety should be required to get a dl. just sayin.

It's true that new laws won't do much, but if you actually read the stats far more bike accidents are caused by the other party than by the biker. Better education of all drivers and riders may help, but the biggest single factor in bike accidents is the car drivers rather than the bikers. Bikes need more space to stop and can lose stability due to defects in the road surface far more easily. Although they are harder to see, you need a BIGGER gap in front of a motorcycle before it is safe for you to pull into that gap, and you need to follow them at a LARGER distance. Observing these rules, plus DOUBLE-CHECKING when you pull out, can reduce these motorcycle fatalities more than anything else can, and certainly more than anything the bikers themselves can do differently.

The fact of the matter is, bikers are out early this year because of the warm temps. Car drivers are not yet expecting to see bikes sharing the roads with them. Chances are most accidents are the fault of the car driver but that should be a warning to all bikers, be extra careful out there and trust no one. Don't pull into an intersection until you're sure of what the other drivers are going to do.

I was hit by a distracted driver one time. At least she was able to finish her phone call saying, "I have to go, I just hit someone." I don't know how you can regulate people paying attention. Living in a state that has winter is bad news for the bikers because people aren't used to seeing you year round.