It is a great time of year to ride motorcycles in Texas.  The weather has been mild, and the wildflowers are in bloom.  However, safety is paramount.  Many car and truck drivers pay too little attention to motorcycle riders.  Bike riders must constantly be aware of their surroundings and the possible actions of other drivers.  Unfortunately, there are still those that suffer as a result of motorcycle crashes.  Over nine-hundren (900) people dies in Texas in 2008 and 2009 as a result of motorcycle wrecks.  Take a look at this article in the Port Lavaca Wave -

http://portlavacawave.com/articles/2010/04/08/news/doc4bbbac7d2a32a609120930.txt

Many vehicles are repaired after a wreck using aftermarket parts.  When the parts are related to the safety of the vehicle (such as bumpers and structural members), the aftermarket parts might not be as strong or as safe as the original manufaturer parts.  Take a look at this news story -

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/politics&id=7376330

I have been riding motorcycles since I was young, and I am particularly sensitive to safety issues faced by those riding motorcycles.  Whenever I hear of a driver acting recklessly and thereby harming motorcycle riders, I cringe.

Recently, a group of eight motorcycle riders (including an off-duty fire department captain) were stopped at a red light.  They were stopped behind a pickup and a small SUV, when a dump truck plowed into the back of them.  Three riders were killed and six others were injured.  Here is a link to an article about the crash -

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9ELVLU80&show_article=1

Let’s be safe out there.  There is absolutely no excuse for such a horrible crash.

A Parker County grand jury has declined to indict a woman who allegedly hit and killed a 55-year old bicycle rider.  The bike rider was purportedly hit and killed while riding on an I-20 service road in Willow Park, Texas.  Grand jurors decided not to indict the driver for criminally negligent homicide.  A co-worker of the slain man, and a fellow-cyclist, denounced the grand jury’s decision.  Here is a link to a related article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram -

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/31/2081870/parker-county-grand-jury-no-bills.html

Houston has the unfortunate ranking of number one for traffic fatalities.  Most of these fatalities could be avoided by acting responsibly.  Speeding, driving drunk, and changing lanes recklessly are major causes.  According to 2006 through 2008 data, 1,762 people were killed in 1,611 crashes, involving 2,468 vehicles, in Harris and the following surrounding counties: Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery, Waller, Brazoria, Chambers, Wharton and Liberty.  Here is a link to an article regarding the issue -

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6933939.html

I served as a crossing guard when I was in elementary school.  I remember little about it, other than we (as kids) garnered little respect from motorists.  I have not seen (for good reason) a child crossing guard in years.

Let’s state the obvious – a pedestrian is no match for a car, truck, bus, or motorcycle.  A collision between a pedestrian and any vehicle can cause serious injury or death.  As pedestrians, we need to watch closely when approaching or crossing a street.  One of the first things that we as parents teach our kids is to stay out of the street.  Then, when they are old enough to cross a street, we tell them to look both ways before crossing.  As adults, we at times forget the lessons we teach.  Last night, I saw an adult run with about four or five kids across a 4-lane street.  They were not at a crosswalk, and there was significant traffic.  Sheesh.

As drivers, our responsibilities related to pedestrians are even more important.  We are those controlling the movement of, at times, vehicles weighing several thousand pounds.  We should always yield to pedestrians.

Here are some sites to assist with our pursuit of safety, and avoidance of injury, with kids, crosswalks, and adult pedestrians -

Texas law for yielding to a pedestrian -

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_Texas_Law_for_yielding_to_a_pedestrian

Crosswalk safety rules for kids -

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/426706/crosswalk_safety_essentials_for_school.html?cat=27

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Pedestrian Safety Program -

http://www.nhtsa.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.dfedd570f698cabbbf30811060008a0c/

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We expect that sidewalks, roads, and highways will be free from defects.  When we ride bikes down a concrete path with our kids, we don’t expect to find a separation in the sidewalk or a hole in the concrete that is significant enough to cause a crash.  When we drive on streets or highways, we don’t want to find potholes large enough to cause damage to our vehicle and/or a resulting wreck.  In Texas, such defects are referred to in the law as “special defects.”

Texas law provides immunity (and statutory damages caps) for certain claims against certain governmental actors.  The caps differ according to the type of governmental subdivision, and immunity can extend in certain situations to the extent that a governmental actor might be liable for actions causing injury and death.  The same is true with regard to certain sidewalk, road, and highway defects.  Even if you are injured as a result of a “special defect,” an attorney should carefully review the evidence related to the defect to determine whether the government could be liable for the injury.

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Many people are injured and killed in car and truck accidents every year.  Perhaps the most common occurrence of vehicle collisions is driver negligence (not acting as a reasonably prudent driver).  Other crashes are caused because people choose to drive drunk.  Still other collisions occur as a result of poor vehicle maintenance.

Vehicle defects can also lead to collisions themselves, as well as contribute to or cause injuries resulting from a collision.  We have all heard news reports about certain vehicles that can explode as a result of defectively-designed gas tanks, or about defective tires leading to roll-overs.  There have also been crashes in which a seat belt, if it had been working as it should, would have prevented injury or death.  There are numerous vehicle systems and components which, if defective, could result in otherwise avoidable injury and/or death.  Some are:

• Seat belts
• Air bags
• Tires
• Brakes
• Roofs
• General crashworthiness

It is impossible for consumers to protect themselves from all types of vehicle defects.  However, before buying a vehicle, check Consumer Reports.  Also, be sure to search the Internet for the vehicle you are considering.  There might be telling information available about past defects or current recalls.

Photo Source: Freebase

During the holiday season, we think of family, friends, faith, and leisure time.  As Americans, we have unique views of the holidays.  It is almost impossible to go anywhere in December, or turn on the radio, without hearing “White Christmas.”  However, there is a more sinister side of the holidays which wrecks families and ruins lives.

Drunk driving continues despite increased criminal penalties and societal disdain for the behavior.  Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of any improper substance can lead to serious injury and death, as well as prison time for the drunk driver.  Let’s do our part to stamp out the practice on Texas streets and highways.  The first simple, basic rule, which can be followed by all thinking adults, is don’t drink and drive.   Then, let’s be bold and mature enough to encourage others to do the same.

It can be a lot of fun riding motorcycles.  However, the risks of riding a bike on the street are significant.  If you ride a bike, take a look at this ad.  It is a sober reminder of what can happen if we do not ride safely.