Two serious motorcycle accidents over the weekend are adding to a growing list of motorcycle crashes this riding season.
The first accident this weekend occurred on Langford Creek Road in Van-Etten at around 3:45pm on Saturday. 55-year-old Daryl Dibble was operating his motorcycle with his wife, Diane, on the back when he struck a vehicle towing hay. 52-year-old Diane Dibble was thrown from the rear of the bike and pronounced dead at the scene. Daryl Dibble was transported to an area hospital and admitted into the Intensive Care Unit. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident.
Then yesterday afternoon, emergency first responders were called to the scene of a motorcycle versus car accident on Carroll Street in Binghamton. When first responders arrived, the motorcyclist was not breathing. Witnesses say that the rider’s helmet flew off upon impact. Authorities have not released details on the condition of either driver.
After this weekend, there have been eight serious motorcycle crashes across the Southern Tier since April 15th.
There are precautions we can all take to make sure the road is safer for everyone.
For cars and trucks:
If you are driving a car or truck, be extra-vigilant in keeping your eyes open for motorcycles. While at an intersection, it is best to check for oncoming motorcycles in all directions multiple times, as it is easy for our brains to only search for other passenger vehicles. Also, while following a motorcycle, keep a safe distance.
Look twice, save a life.
For Motorcyclists:
If you are a motorcycle rider, you too have obligations to fulfill. By riding a motorcycle, you are taking additional risks on the road, it is up to you to reduce those risks.
Most motorcycle accidents occur as a result of taking corners and curves too fast and losing control. Slow down to a safe speed.With this in mind, it is always best to slow down when cornering. An outside-inside-outside approach to curves reduces the amount of lean you must place on your bike. Keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you is always recommended to allow for more reaction time, however, it is even more important when cornering or going around a curve, because you cannot see any hazard that that vehicle may need to brake for.
The right equipment is also important for staying safe on a motorcycle. Highly-visible clothing which includes bright colors and even reflective material is recommended to be more easily noticed by other drivers, as your body makes up roughly 50% of your profile while riding a motorcycle. Also, follow the acronym ATGATT, (All the gear, all the time). Whenever you take off on your motorcycle, you should wear a helmet, eyewear, jacket, jeans, gloves, and footwear that covers your ankles. Make sure your helmet straps are fastened, otherwise it could fly off in the event of an accident, making it useless.
How you operate your motorcycle can also either increase or hinder safety. While engine-braking is an effective means of slowing down, it does not warn the driver behind you of your intentions. Be sure to tap your brakes a couple times to engage your brake lamp, and warn any following drivers that you will be slowing down.
In addition, it is best to use both your front and rear brakes for every stop so it becomes muscle memory. Although your front brake provides approximately 70% of your stopping power, in an emergency situation where a sudden stop is necessary, you are going to want 100% of your stopping power. If you don’t typically use your back brake, you could hesitate wasting precious time.
If you are travelling with a group of other motorcyclists, the most experienced rider should lead, with the least experienced second. Group rides should always be staggered to allow for full-lane cornering if necessary, and more room between you and the bike in front and behind you.
If you are a new rider, be sure to let others in your group know what you are and are not comfortable with. With the right group of riders, safety will always be the number one priority.
