Road accidents are among the most stressful situations one can encounter; they can range from minor ones where no one is hurt and your car sustains no damage to those that have terrible, fatal consequences. According to some estimations, motorcycles tend to be more risky and fragile on the road than other vehicle types, and the type of vehicle you drive can also affect how serious the collision is. According to some studies, motorcycle accidents are the 12th leading cause of death in the United States. In order to deal with all of the negative effects, it is crucial to comprehend the numbers. Continue reading to learn more about this.
What Are the Common Causes?
Common causes of motorcycle accidents include both riders and other drivers. Motorcyclists frequently cause accidents by braking suddenly, driving without lights or high-visibility clothing, and failing to perceive obstacles in their path. A bike might lose traction and fall if it is traveling too quickly through turns or is not paying attention to oil, debris, or sand on the road.
Rear-ending motorcyclists, opening a car door into their path, turning left, or merging in front of them all result in accidents. Likewise, a frequent reason is intoxicated driving.
What Do the Statistics Show?
Compared to motorcycles, which have a death rate of 72 per 100,000, accidents involving automobiles result in 13 fatalities for every 100,000 vehicles. In addition, motorcycle riders are 35 times more likely to be involved in a fatal motorcycle crash for every mile they go, according to statistics. Also, motorcycle riders are 26 times more likely to die in a vehicle collision and five times more likely to sustain injuries.
As per vehicle kilometers driven in 2018, motorcyclists are around 28 times more likely to die in a traffic collision than those in passenger automobiles.
Similar to this, the NHTSA noted that in motor vehicle traffic collisions in 2017, “motorcyclist deaths occurred roughly 27 times more often than passenger vehicle fatalities.”
In 2020, motorcycle riders were approximately 28 times more likely than passengers to die in a motor vehicle collision and were four times more likely to have injuries per mile of vehicle travel. It needs balance, coordination, and sound judgment to ride a motorcycle safely.
Speeding has a greater impact on motorcycle accidents and the fatalities of riders and operators than it does on crashes involving drivers of passenger cars or trucks. A fatal motorcycle-car accident involved 30% of motorcycle drivers speeding, compared to just 18% of drivers of passenger cars and 7% of drivers of heavy trucks.
How to Protect Yourself on the Road?
Allow plenty of space between your bike and other cars. Always look behind you and signal before changing lanes. Obey traffic signals, signs, speed restrictions, and lane markings. The majority of motorcycle accidents involving several vehicles happen because other motorists failed to spot the biker. At junctions, drive cautiously and, where necessary, yield to pedestrians and other cars. By covering your motorcycle with reflective materials and keeping the lights on, even while using high beams throughout the day, you can boost your visibility.
When riding a motorcycle, arms and legs should be totally covered, ideally by donning leather or thick denim. Protective gear aids in preventing dehydration in addition to offering safety in a collision. Gloves offer you a better grip and aid in hand protection in the case of an accident, while boots or shoes must protect your ankles. You can increase your visibility to other drivers of vehicles by using brightly colored clothes with reflective material.
Avoid Driving Intoxicated
Your judgment, concentration, balance, speed control, and ability to shift gears are all significantly impacted by alcohol and drugs, including certain prescription drugs. Additionally, these medications decrease your attentiveness and reaction speed. It’s hard to foresee what other cars or people will do, even while you’re on full alert. So, before getting on your motorcycle, be sure you are sober. Otherwise, you’re going to have problems.
Make Sure You Are Properly Licensed
All states mandate a motorcycle license to go along with your car driver’s license. You must pass written and on-cycle skills exams given by the licensing body in your state. It’s a good idea to finish a motorcycle rider training course to make sure you have the training and experience necessary to ride a motorcycle. For information about nearby motorcycle rider training programs, get in touch with your state’s motor vehicle administration.
We hope that reading this article has given you a better understanding of the risks associated with motorcycling and how to be safe while doing so. Despite the fact that motorcycles are inherently riskier and more dangerous, you may assure a secure and pleasurable ride by paying attention to the text’s straightforward safety recommendations.
