It’s been a long, hot and dry summer, and those conditions can be pretty grueling on motorcycle riders. We get it if you’re raring and ready to go for a long ride now that the weather is starting to cool a bit. As riders ourselves, we know the pull you can feel to just take off down the road – but we also know that safety is paramount to an enjoyable ride today and in the future.

If you want to avoid a motorcycle crash here in Tennessee, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Don’t drive faster than your view allows. Blind corners are a rider’s worst nightmare; it’s what makes The Dragon such an amazing but potentially deadly route. If your visibility is limited by hills or curves, ride at a slower speed, and save the take-offs for long stretches of road that are straight ahead of you.
2. Check the weather report. Both arid and wet weather can be destructive to roads, leading to potholes, eroded shoulders and excess debris. Some of the routes, especially anything around the Smokies, have a lot of gravel that can blow into the roads during high winds. If you hit the gravel, you can skid out quickly.
3. Remember that cars aren’t looking for you, and they probably can’t see you anyway. Bikes are small, and they can fit perfectly into the blind spot of the average passenger car. If you’re riding in an area with a lot of traffic, make sure to drive slowly and use your signals – anything that can make you more visible. Avoid the urge to zip through the middle; it’s a surefire way to get blindsided by a car making a turn or switching lanes.
4. Don’t ride with people you can’t trust. Just like there are bad drivers, there are bad riders – and you know who they are in your own circle of friends. If you want to go for a group ride, great; just make sure you’re riding with people you can trust to obey traffic laws and follow proper motorcycle etiquette. If you’re riding with someone new, be sure to stay alert, just in case the other rider isn’t as road savvy as you are.
5. Stay sober. The Yellow Pages lists 149 entries for bars in Knoxville, and another 19 pages for bars serving the Knoxville area. We appreciate that a cold brew on a hot day of riding probably sounds great, but alcohol is a contributing factor in about 30% of motorcycle fatalities each year. If you’re going to drink, call a cab home.

Autumn is an excellent time to take to the roads in Knoxville. We just want you to be safe and smart about it. If you do end up crashing your bike or colliding with another driver, Banks & Jones wants to help. Please contact us to find out what a Knoxville motorcycle accident attorney at our firm can do for you.