By Don Enninga
- 191,403 registered motorcycles in Colorado in 2019
- 1965 motorcycle crashes in 2019
- 1361 motorcycle injury crashes in 2019
- 96 motorcycle fatal crashes in 2019
- 1022 motorcycle crashes were non intersection in 2019
- 595 motorcycle crashes were intersection related in 2019
We don’t really think of motorcycling in terms of numbers like these. We tend to see what we enjoy as living in our own little bubble until reality hits us in the face. Now, reality can be in the form of being involved in a crash or witnessing one. Hopefully you have not experienced either one but the truth of the matter is that you probably will in your riding career.
There has been way too many reports of motorcycle crashes in 2020 and far too many serious injuries and death. The latest one I saw in the news was an Aurora Police Department off duty officer that died in an intersection crash when a driver failed to yield the right of way and turned left in front of her at an intersection. We all need to watch out for motorcycles when driving as they have a very small “footprint” on the highway. I have had instances in my own life where I almost failed to see someone riding a motorcycle so I work constantly to make sure I look twice to save a life!
When the unthinkable crash happens, how do you react? Do you provide care? How will that look? What is safe, what will put you in danger?
Taking an Accident Scene Management course can provide you the skills and knowledge to make informed decisions and do the best you can in a tough situation. Avoiding being hurt or killed and keeping the victim and those around you safe is kind of important! Look around: What will harm or kill you? Scene safety is just one of many valuable skills offered in the ASM Bystander Assistance course.
Imagine this if you will: It’s a great day for a ride and you with several friends have put on a couple hundred miles when a deer vaults out of the trees into one of the motorcycles who was 20 yards in front of you. The impact is on the front end of the bike causing the rider, who has leathers and a helmet on, to be thrown violently onto the pavement and skid down the highway stopping in the middle of the road. You are able to hit the brakes, avoid the motorcycle and deer and stop in time to avoid running into the rider who is lying motionless. You have thought about taking some kind of first aid or maybe an Accident Scene Management class but have not “taken the time”.
If this picture strikes a nerve or you feel a bit rusty on trauma skills you may have learned at some point in the past, then it’s time to act, find an Accident Scene Management class and learn the skills you need to manage a motorcycle crash scene. The $85 cost of a class is a small price to be able to feel confident and manage a situation that calls for calm thinking and decisive action for the best outcome. In Colorado, there have been and will be opportunities to take an ASM class that is sponsored by Scott O’Sullivan from Rider Justice and BikerDown. Both of these great organizations have dedicated the resources needed to help motorcyclists get the training to properly manage the injured rider on a crash scene. The best part is their sponsorship will reduce the cost to you by half or more depending on the class and location.
It’s been great to have bikes back on the road but that does increase the chances of crashes and injury. With the Covid 19 virus and the restrictions on contact, wearing of masks, smaller class sizes and issues with appropriate venue size for classes to allow for social distancing, planning of classes is more difficult but not impossible. Contact Rider Justice, BikerDown or myself and we will be happy to schedule a class for you and your group. Even though 2020 quickly turned upside down, here’s to life getting back to the point of normal, whatever that will be and we are able to provide you, the motorcycling community, with the tools necessary to react and treat the biker who has crashed.
Ride free and ride safe!
* 2019 Most report
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