Lubbock, We Have To Share the Road With Our Friends On Two Wheels

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I hate that I have to write this article. I hate that motorcycles deaths in Texas are on the rise:

State officials report that 519 motorcycle riders died in motor vehicle crashes in 2021, a 7% increase over the previous year. And even though motorcycles comprise less than 2% of vehicles in Texas, they accounted for 12% of the fatalities in 2021.

And I especially hate seeing my friends post about the horrific pain they are in after losing a dear friend. Rest Peacefully Tim Atwood.

The truth is, every single driver on the road in Lubbock could do better when it comes to watching for motorcycles, sharing the road, and just driving more carefully in general. I'm including myself in that statement. I can do better. We can do better.

TxDot has some great suggestions on how we can all drive better and save the lives of our friends on two wheels:

• Take extra care when making a left turn. Always assume motorcycles are closer than they appear and avoid turning in front of an oncoming motorcycle.
• Pay special attention at intersections. A third of motorcycle fatalities happen at roadway intersections.
• Give driving your full attention. Even a momentary distraction, such as answering a phone call or changing the radio station, can have deadly consequences.
• Look twice when changing lanes. Check mirrors, check blind spots, and always use turn signals.
• Give motorcyclists room when passing them. Move over to the passing lane and don’t crowd the motorcyclist’s full lane.
• Stay back. If you’re behind a motorcycle, always maintain a safe following distance. When a motorcyclist downshifts instead of applying the brake to slow down, it can catch drivers off guard since there are no brake lights to signal reduced speed.
• Slow down. Obey posted speed limits and drive to conditions.

People I love so much ride motorcycles. Please, please share the road with them.