Tennessee Motorcycle Riding: Why Training is Important

The statistics say it all:

• In over 50% of fatal motorcycle accidents the operators had less than five months of experience in 2010.
• 90% of riders either taught themselves how to operate a bike, or were taught by a family member.
• The more training a motorcycle operator has, the less chance he or she has to crash.
• According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, about eight million motorcycles took to the roads in 2009.
• In 2010, motorcycle fatalities increased by about 0.7%, even though sales were down by 16%.
• Out of every 100,000 registered motorcycles in 2009, about 58 were involved in a deadly crash, compared to only about 13 passenger vehicle fatalities.

These statistics lead to one conclusion; the more education a motorcyclist receives, the better his or her chances of avoiding a Tennessee motorcycle accident.

The Tennessee Department of Safety takes motorcycle training seriously. Anyone in the state can take one of four courses to improve his or her skills and avoid a deadly accident. Highly experienced riders teach these programs. They are:

• The Basic Rider Course: An entry-level course designed for new riders.
• The Basic Rider Course Two: For people who are already riding but want to become more skilled.
• The Advanced Rider Course: Designed for more advanced riders and more challenging.
• The Trike Course: Same kinds of training as the basic course, but designed for those who ride trikes.

These courses are offered all over the state at various training sites and take place from March through December.

As Memphis motorcycle crash lawyers, we encourage all motorcyclists to take advantage of one of these training courses. In addition to helping you to be safer, these courses can also save you money. In 2011, Tennessee mandated an insurance reduction to all riders who have had training.

At Bailey & Greer, we represent clients who have been seriously injured in Tennessee motorcycle accidents. Call us toll-free today at 901-680-9777 to see what we can do for you.