Road safety experts are reminding motorcyclists to be very careful at the start of the season when we are already deploring the first death after only a few days of good weather.
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“It’s early,” drops Marco Harrison, director of the CAA Quebec Foundation and road safety expert, in reference to enthusiasts who have already taken out their motorcycles.
“The roads are not yet clean. There is a lot of gravel and winter maintenance material left, he continues. As soon as you deviate a little, it becomes very dangerous.
Nevertheless, some enthusiasts made their first outings of the season quickly after the ice storm that hit Quebec last week.
They had the right since March 15.
This was the case of Annie Watier, 37, Monday afternoon.
Shortly after 4:30 p.m., the motorcyclist lost his life after going off the road in Candiac, Montérégie. She reportedly lost control of her car in a curve on Highway 30, hitting a guardrail.
The Sûreté du Québec favors for the moment the thesis of lack of experience. It was the first motorcyclist fatality recorded in the province this year.
SAAQ spokesperson Gino Desrosiers reminds us that grip is not the same on asphalt when the temperature is cooler and there are a large number of potholes because of the thaw.
For his part, Robert Poëti, the former Minister of Transport and motorcycle expert, suggests a course to refresh skills:
“It’s not expensive. It can save your life. The first weeks are not ideal and are more risky for the bike.
Early season motorcycle safety tips, according to these three experts:
- Wait for the pavements to be cleaned
- Exercise increased vigilance and caution
- Be more attentive to the road to the point of reducing your speed
- Take a refresher driving skills course
- Increase its visibility for motorists who are no longer used to sharing the road (for example, wearing a bib)
- Avoid long expeditions and less well-known paths
- Prioritize sunshine hours and warmer days
Sources: Marco Harrison (CAA-Quebec Foundation), Gino Desrosiers (SAAQ) and Robert Poëti (Former Minister of Transport and motorcycle specialist)