During June, July, and August, Iowa roadways gain an increase in the presence of motorcyclists. In fact, beginning in spring as the snow melts and the weather warms, many motorcycle enthusiasts cannot wait to get on the road. All riders are obligated to carry a motorcycle license and to adhere to traffic laws, especially those specifically regarding motorcycles. If you’re an operator or passenger, you’ll want to follow all safety recommendations to reduce the chance of collision and injury.
Whether you’re operating a motorcycle or riding as a passenger, there’s little to nothing you can do about another motorist’s behavior on the road. An operator might be able to create distance between his or her motorcycle and another vehicle if the other driver is exhibiting dangerous behavior; however, that’s not always possible.
Iowa motorists can take precautions to help reduce their chances of colliding with a motorcycle on the road. If you’re behind the wheel of a car, keep these things in mind to help motorcyclists stay safe:
Ask your passengers to tell you when they see a motorcycle in the roadway, in case you have not noticed it.
Allow extra time and space for motorcycles because it’s easy to misjudge distance and speed.
Always make sure your mirrors are in a good position to see other vehicles.
If you’re exiting a parked car near traffic, always use extreme caution, in case a motorcyclist is passing by.
Pause before proceeding if a motorcyclist has a turn signal on because the signal may not match his or her actions.
These are just a few ways to help improve safety when you share Iowa roads with motorcyclists.
Sadly, many Iowa motorcycle collisions are fatal. If you survive getting hit by another vehicle, you may be in for a stressful recovery, especially if your injuries are severe or life-threatening. Due to your exposure to the open air on a motorcycle, the force of a collision might eject you from your seat or cause you to hit a hard surface, which may cause a traumatic brain injury (even if you’re wearing a helmet) or injuries to your neck, spine or internal organs.
In such situations, you would no doubt rely heavily upon first responders and other rescuers to get you to the nearest hospital that is equipped to handle your injuries. You may also need extensive medical care in the months following the collision, perhaps, including surgery, physical therapy, or home nursing care. Such care is expensive, which is why state law allows recovering accident victims to seek compensation for damages in court.
Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) or under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited in Iowa. On suspicion of impaired or drunk driving, the police can stop your vehicle and ask you to take a field sobriety test, among other DUI tests. Understanding your rights with a field sobriety test is imperative to know what to do when pulled over for DUI and ensure that you do not implicate yourself inadvertently.
Most of us have seen police shows on TV where an officer informs someone in custody that they have a right to remain silent and be represented by an attorney during questioning. This statement, required by a 1966 U.S. Supreme Court decision, is known as your Miranda Rights.
The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was enacted to protect citizens from any unlawful search and seizure by government authorities, including law enforcement officers. Unless under certain exceptions, it is illegal for a police officer to search a person's home, vehicle, or property without obtaining a valid search warrant or following the guidelines for conducting searches.
