Menu
May 19 proclaimed Leonette Hammontree Remembrance Day
During Tuesday evening's regular Nevada City Council meeting, Mayor George Knox read out loud a proclamation declaring May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
The proclamation read, in part: Today's society is finding more citizens involved in motorcycling on the roads of our country. Motorcyclists are roughly unprotected and much more likely to be injured or killed in a crash than other vehicle drivers. Campaigns have helped inform riders and motorists alike on motorcycle safety issues to reduce motorcycle related risks, injuries and most of all fatalities, through a comprehensive approach to motorcycle safety.
"I do hereby proclaim the month of May 2021 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and urge the citizens of this community to become aware of the inherent danger involved in operating a motorcycle, and for riders and motorists alike to give each other mutural respect they deserve," stated Mayor Knox.
Leonette Hammontree Rememberance Day
"I encourage all Nevada, Mo., citizens to remember the motorcycle tragedy that took the life of a bright light in our community who also was an avid motorcycle rider," continued Mayor Knox. "In honor of her memory, we also hereby proclaim May 19, 2021 'Leonette Hammontree Remembrance Day.'"
Hammontree was killed May 19, 2014, when another vehicle collided with her motorcycle while driving west on U.S. Highway 54. The wreck was the result of the other driver failing to yield after stopping, pulling out into Hammontree's path.
Since her passing, Hammontree has been remembered in various ways by those who loved and knew her. In 2016, a fund named in her honor — Leonette's Legacy — was created to assist Girl Scouts who are trying to earn money to attend camp. Hammontree was still a member of the Girl Scout organization as a leader at the time of her passing. Leonette's Legacy assists Girl Scouts who have put forth the effort to earn the money for camp, but have come up a little short.
Many friends and family members of Hammontree were present for the reading of the proclamation Tuesday evening. They included an individual who was active in the Girl Scouts as Scouts, leaders, and as friends with Hammontree. In addition, a member of the Eagle Riders was present as well. Eagle Riders are a motorcycle group through the Nevada Fraternal Order of Eagles. Hammontree was a member of the Eagle Riders and worked every year to raise funds for their Toy Drive for children.
Motorcycle Safety
As part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, motorists are reminded of the following driving tips from driving-tests.org on how to share the road with motorcycles:
• Always check your blind spots. This is possibly the number one reason for accidents involving motorcycles and cars. Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles and can be even more difficult to spot while merging or changing lanes.Motorists are encouraged to take their time and devote several seconds to searching each of your car's blind spots before proceeding.
• Be extra cautious when passing. While it is lawful to pass a motorcycle in the same way you would an automobile, the gust of wind that results from your increase in speed as you pass could cause the motorcycle to become unstable and blow the rider off of the road. Be sure to always signal your intention to pass a motorcyclist by using your turn signal and that you are several car lengths ahead of the motorcycle before returning to your lane.
• Motorcycles react more quickly than cars. Make sure that you maintain an adequate following distance behind motorcycles. Rear-ending a motorcycle can be fatal to the rider, particulary if you drive a large, heavy vehicle.
• Weather warning. Bad weather has more drastic effects on motorcycle riders than it does on automobile drivers. Weather conditions also often reduce your own visibility and may cause motorcycles to be more difficult to see.
• Night-riding can be treacherous for motorcyclists. Help riders stay safe after dark by increasing your following distance, ensuring that your high-beams are turned off when you notice an approaching motorcycle, and refraining from passing.
• Stay in your lane. Motorcycles are legally entitled to their own lane of traffic. In no situation are you allowed to drive your automobile in the same lane and in close proximity to a motorcycle. No matter how small these vehicles are or how much extra room that there appears to be, sharing a single lane with a motorcycle is a recipe for an accident and illegal.
• Inform motorcyclists of your intention to turn. Initiate your turn signal sooner than you normally would when you know there is a motorcycle driving behind you.
• Intersections are danger zones. Many vehicle accidents that involve both automobiles and motorcycles occur at intersections, particularly blind intersections. Always follow the safety protocol for intersections every single time that you approach one — come to a complete stop, view and obey posted traffic signs and signals, look both ways for approaching traffic, and proceed slowly.
• Watch for turning motorcycles. If you notice that a motorcycle is driving with an activated turn signal for a abnormal distance, increase your following distance so that you have time to react whenever the rider does decide to turn.
• Take a second look at left-turns. Before you cross a lane or lanes of traffic or turn left, take a second look for approaching motorcycles. Vehicle accidents involving the collision of a left-turning car and an approaching motorcycle can be very severe, often because the motorcycle t-bones the car while is midway through the left turn.
Community members are also reminded to take caution with how they mow their lawns this summer. Blowing lawn clippings into the roadways is very dangerous. Grass is a serious road hazard for motorcyclists. It can reduce the traction a motorcycle's tires have on the roadway. Grass on the road essentially places an additional layer between the bike tire and the road, similar to an oil slick.