New York Chapter "W"

Gold Wing Road Riders Association

Rochester, NY

NY-W Rider Educator’s Corner

Traction Hazards

by Gregg Miller

For those of you who attended our October gathering, the topic presented dealt with traction hazards.

During the fall season, several traction hazards can combine to result in a dangerous “cocktail”. Oil, water, sand, gravel, and fallen leaves have their own dangers, but mixing them just raises the stakes. We all know that during the regular riding season, oil on a road is something to avoid by riding in the inside and outside third of the lane. Even when the road is dry, it’s hard to determine if oil is fresh and a danger at 55 mph. And the danger in taking a curve too fast can be multiplied when sand and/or gravel are unexpectedly present.

Now let’s add dry or wet leaves to the mix. This time of year, leaves in the road can hide other hazards - potholes and other objects that could affect steering. Leaves can also mask objects near the shoulder, like small animals, roadkill, broken pavement, trash, etc. Blowing leaves can also mask our vision if a gust of wind throws them in our faces.

Always remember to keep safe following distances, continually scan ahead, and be prepared for that gust of wind when leaves are crossing your path.

This month’s topic deals with the common link between an Emergency Medical Technician’s (EMT’s) jump bag and our own safety apparel.

I brought in my own jump bag from former EMT days to this month’s gathering. I still carry it in the Jeep just in case of emergencies. There are items in that bag that I can’t use on anyone other than immediate family members, but still, it holds items useful in other instances.

The bag includes a ladder splint, roll bandages, gauze pads, trauma sheers, bite stick, BP cuff, stethoscope, latex gloves, CPR mask, bag-valve mask, paper and surgical tape – you get the picture. How does all of this relate to a rider and co-rider? Very simply put, what we wear while riding can help minimize injuries and potential loss of life in case of an accident, the way an EMT’s jump bag provides tools to help them treat a patient in the field, and hopefully save a life.

For those of you who attended the 2009 Bi-State Rally in Norwich, NY and observed the accident scene scenario played out, you noticed how all EMS providers worked together with the riders group who came upon the accident scene first. Once fire and medic arrived, I hope you tuned in on how the EMTs took care of the accident victims, especially the two on the motorcycle.

Helmet laws are disputed across the country, and many of our riding brothers and sisters are all too willing to believe they can survive a serious head injury incurred in an accident. Veteran actor Gary Busey was fortunate to survive a crash after sustaining a serious head injury several years ago. But unfortunately, he didn’t learn from it. “Brain buckets”, as helmets have been nicknamed in the past, serve not only to keep our skulls from being broken in an accident, but they also serve as cervical spine stabilization. There’s no great quality of life to survive a serious head injury without a helmet if you’re paralyzed due to a broken cervical spine.

For those of us who have completed the first aid/CPR training, removal of a helmet from an injured motorcyclist is a no-no, only to be done by trained EMTs. It’s a two-person operation, and is replaced by other methods to keep the cervical spine in alignment during transport to a hospital. Helmet removal is normally done only when there is danger of a compromised airway. So don’t attempt to do this yourself if you come across an accident scene!

Our other personal safety clothing consisting of jeans, over the ankle footwear, jackets (with or without body armor), and gloves all serve a similar purpose – to help protect our body parts from injury within the scope of their construction.

So keep up the good work by wearing the proper clothing, and safety gear. That goes for those who are putting off winterizing their bikes for as long as they can; and for those of us who already have, and are looking forward to next season.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone,

Gregg