Motorcycles are a great way to enjoy fresh air with little between nature and the rider. However, specific Portland motorcycle traffic laws are put in place to keep everyone on the road safe, particularly motorcyclists. Not only do these rules enforce what bikers can do, but they give them certain rights.
In addition, other drivers are expected to know these laws, too. When a motorcyclist and their passenger are hurt in an accident because someone else ignored traffic laws, a respected motorcycle accident attorney can help them seek compensation for their losses.
Motorcycle Traffic Laws Are for the Safety of Motorcyclists
Motorcycles are inherently different from other passenger vehicles in ways that make bikers more accessible on the road but also more vulnerable to injuries and crashes. Unlike cars, bikers and their passengers are only protected from the environment by their clothes and protective gear. Similarly, motorcycles are smaller in length and width, whereas other vehicles tend to take up the entire width of a lane.
While motorcycle engines tend to be louder and can alert motorists to their presence, they can also be more challenging to see, especially at night, with fewer and smaller lights. Whenever there is a motorcycle accident with a car or truck, the biker is more likely to be severely injured. Thus, Maine law governs how bikers can operate a motorcycle on public roadways. These Portland traffic laws are enacted not only for the safety of other vehicles but for bikers specifically.
Traffic Laws Specifically for Motorcyclists
Motorcycles must have their headlights turned on for public roadways, helping other vehicles see them. Every bike must have a permanently attached seat, and no more than two people can ride at a time. In addition, passengers can only sit on seats permanently attached to the motorcycle. In sidecars, the maximum number of riders cannot exceed the number of permanent seats, which in this state is two.
Motorcycles must also be operated within lanes, and not in between them. Both wheels must be on the ground, and the biker should not knowingly or intentionally raise a wheel in a place where there is traffic. Moreover, the handlebars cannot be higher than the operator’s shoulders. A Portland attorney can provide more information on motorcycle traffic laws and their role in an incident.
Rules That Other Motorists Need to Obey
Motorcyclists are safest when everyone gives them the proper space. Bikes can take up the entire width of any roadway lane and ride side-by-side with up to two next to each other. No other vehicle can be next to a motorcycle in the same lane. Similarly, motorcycles must leave the lane to overtake or pass another vehicle, and they can pass bicycles and mopeds from the same lane like other passenger vehicles.
Contact a Portland Lawyer to See How Motorcycle Traffic Laws Apply to Your Case
Notably, the Portland motorcycle traffic laws are a specific portion of the state’s overall road regulations, which govern all motor vehicles. Accidents can occur when cars and trucks fail to treat motorcycles like any other vehicle. Refusing to give them the whole lane or failing to yield to bikes with the right-of-way can cause devastating wrecks.
When you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident because someone else failed to obey the rules of the road, call our team for a consultation. A personal injury attorney can help determine when you have a claim and help you recover damages.
