The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association have teamed to promote motorcycle safety and responsible riding. The Gear Up: Ride Smart campaign is the latest theme in a decades-long annual campaign designed to continuously improve conditions for safe motorcycle riding along the state’s highways and roads.

The event coincides with the prime riding season and attempts to reach seasoned riders and novices, alike. According to the Illinois Transportation Secretary, motorcycle fatalities account for 15 percent of all traffic fatalities in the state. Officials and safety advocates are constantly working to get this number down.

Motorcyclists are certainly one of the most vulnerable categories of people who share New Jersey roadways. In fact, in NJ, bikers are 26 more times likely to die in a crash than their auto-driving counterparts. There were almost 13,000 fatal crashes involving motorcycles in New Jersey between 2009 and 2013. Taking it one step further, experts say that there is an 83 percent chance of being injured if you are involved in a bike-related crash in NJ.

Perhaps New Jersey should take a look at Illinois’ campaign which includes simple things like reminding riders to make sure their bikes are properly maintained for optimum safety and performance (some riders tend to neglect their two-wheeled friends during the colder months). Riders are also advised to re-familiarize themselves with the laws in their state and wear the proper protective gear and clothing at all times.

The simple message of Gear Up: Ride Smart is an obvious, yet resonant one. At the very least it reminds us that bikers are more vulnerable to fatal accidents than other motorists. Staying safe is integral to the enjoyment of the riding experience for drivers everywhere.

No matter how much you prepare, the unfortunate fact is that you can’t stop accidents from happening. Since you can’t control the actions of every other driver on the road, you have to protect yourself as much as possible by taking the proper precautions. If you are in an accident, hire an experienced attorney who will fight for maximum compensation for your injuries.

Team Law attorney Andrew Prince’s experience defending the rights of motorcyclists in court is unparalleled. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, call us today for a free consultation. We will work hard to quickly get you the justice and compensation you deserve.