Sunny skies and long summer days are back. But with the return of this season also comes the return of avid motorcyclists to New Jersey roadways.
As we can all attest, riders are everywhere. In this state alone, there are about 300,000. And, this number could increase as gas prices continue to power up motorcycle popularity.
With riding season in full swing, we need to be extra vigilant of each other. In fact, New Jersey is urging all of us (both motorcyclists and four-wheeled drivers!) to safely share the road.
Last year, 67 people were involved in fatal motorcycle crashes in New Jersey. Since May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, it’s a good time to be aware of other vehicles around us.
For riders, it’s important to use every means possible to ensure a safe, injury-free riding season. It doesn’t hurt to be reminded to wear helmets, gloves, and protective clothing to minimize injury… or worse, prevent death. It’s also a good idea to ride in groups with friends whenever possible. As we know, there is safety in numbers.
Are you a new rider? Has it been a while since you’ve ridden a motorcycle? Consider taking a “refresher” course through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. There are other resources and tools worth checking out before you get back on your bike. A little education and some friendly reminders could go a long way.
Motorists have responsibilities, too. We must get in the habit of looking out for motorcycles. Though they’re harder to see than other vehicles, try to anticipate their maneuvers. Riders often change lane positions to respond to road conditions, weather or other factors. Also, allow ample space when following a motorcycle – give them a full car length as you would any other vehicle.
So, before you head out on the road, be sure to do your part to make our roads safe. Together, we can make driving safer for everyone.
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… a story of tragedy, of hope, and the power of love. Miracles do happen, Noelle McNeil is living proof.
Noelle McNeil: “I Know Heaven Exists.”
~by Bill Kolbenschlag & Jason Berardi of the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey
Noelle McNeil, a 25-year old Little Silver, New Jersey, survived a fall from a horse and had a religious experience while in a coma. She has written a book called “Heaven Exists,” and her story is truly inspiring.
Little Silver, NJ: February 11, 2010 — One of Noelle McNeil’s favorite things to quote is the Law of Conservation of Energy, which states that “energy cannot be created or destroyed.” For Noelle, this statement rings true in more ways than one.
Noelle, a 25-year-old Little Silver resident, was living quite the life in her second semester at James Madison University. Young, beautiful, popular, and full of energy, she had tons of friends and all the potential in the world.
One day she discovered how life can change in a split second.
A competitive horseback rider, Noelle was thrown from a horse at an equestrian event in August of 2005. She sustained a brain injury and was in a coma for 10 days. After coming through the coma she told her family that she had been to heaven and back.
“I hovered at death’s door for two weeks,” Noelle describes. “I developed a terrible pneumonia that almost killed me. I developed a systemic sepsis infection. My heart race alternately raced and plummeted, and my oxygen saturation rate also dropped precipitously. The monitors crashed and my death was imminent several times, but I survived.”
Even though she made it through, the outlook for Noelle’s future wasn’t good. Doctors said she probably would never walk or function on her own for the remainder of her life.
This began her incredible journey of energy, strength, and perseverance.
Noelle spent more than five months in rehabilitation, and more than eight months in a wheelchair. She had to learn to do everything all over again: walk, talk, eat, speak, etc. “It was the longest eight months of my life,” she said.
Her progress was remarkable. She found the energy within to overcome her devastating injuries and get back on her feet again.
Today Noelle is doing very well. She has trouble with her memory, has had surgery on her right eye, and has difficulty with the use of her right arm. She has gone back to school at Monmouth University and is studying Business and Marketing.
Noelle enjoys sharing her experience with others. She has spoken at her former High School, Red Bank Catholic, and a retirement home in Tinton Falls.
Perhaps her greatest accomplishment since the accident is that she has written a book “Heaven Exists” detailing her story in journal entry form. The book describes her incredible journey in fascinating detail.
Visit Noelle McNeil’s website @ www.noellemcneil.com
As we can all attest, riders are everywhere. In this state alone, there are about 300,000. And, this number could increase as gas prices continue to power up motorcycle popularity.
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