In 2019, motorcycle accidents claimed the lives of over 5,000 US motorcyclists. There’s no question that riding a motorcycle comes with additional risks. When it comes to staying safe on a motorcycle the secret is understanding the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the most common causes of accidents and what you can do to avoid them.
Head-on Collisions
Head-on collisions claim the lives of more motorcyclists than any other type of accident. They occur when a motorcycle collides with an oncoming vehicle. This can happen if the oncoming vehicle or the motorcyclists swerves into the oncoming lane.
This can occur during overtaking or if either driver is distracted or impaired. The best way to avoid this type of collision is to always read the road ahead and stay on the right-hand side of your lane. If you’re going to overtake the vehicle in front of you make sure you can see the road in front to make sure you have enough space and time.
Left-Turning Cars
Motorcycles colliding with left-turning cars is one of the most common accidents that motorcyclists face. This can occur when the motorcyclist is traveling straight forward at an intersection or when they are passing a car.
It is important to be able to anticipate the moves of other road users. It is important to be extra vigilant when you come to potential turns in the road. It’s best to slow down whenever there is a chance that a car might be turning, especially if the vehicle in front is slowing down.
Lane Switching Vehicles
As a motorcyclist, you’re harder to spot than larger vehicles. Not all motorists will be able to see you in their mirrors at all times. When vehicles are changing lanes you can’t always be sure that they know you’re behind them.
Always leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front to give yourself time to react if they start to switch lanes. You can’t always depend that they’ll use their indicators. It’s important to remain alert at all times.
Weather and Poor Visibility
Adverse weather conditions will affect road surfaces as well as your visibility. National speed limits are designed for good weather conditions so it’s important to take bad weather into account when setting your speed.
Wet roads mean that you’ll need longer to stop in an emergency and poor visibility means that you won’t be able to read the road as far ahead as usual. It’s also important to make sure that you’re correctly kitted out for your ride whatever the weather. Make sure you have all the necessary safety equipment and the best goggles for an upcoming ride.
Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents
These are just four of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. Every time you get on your bike it’s important to remember that any one of them might be waiting for you on your daily commute.
Always pay attention to the road, adhere to speed limits, and wear the proper safety gear. Ride safe.
For more useful and informative blogs be sure to take a look at the rest of our site.
