Statistically, motorcycle accidents aren’t significantly more frequent than accidents involving other types of vehicles. However, they result in more severe injuries than other accidents. In a study, the federal government established that there were 35 times more deaths resulting from injuries from motorcycle accidents than there were for accidents involving other vehicles in 2006.
The following safety tips will help you in avoiding motorcycle accidents.
Take responsibility
While it is easy to blame other road users for the high accident rates, it is important for motorcycle riders to take special precautions. This will enhance your safety and help ensure that you live long enough to enjoy many more rides on your motorcycle.
The following are common situations that result in motorcycle accidents and advice you can use to avoid an accident while you are riding:
- A car turns in front of you or turns into your lane without warning
Motorcycles are much smaller than the average passenger car. It is therefore not uncommon for motorists to fail to notice a motorcycle on the road. An automobile driver may also be distracted or you could be in his blind spot.
Chances of a collision are high when a vehicle turns in front of you or turns into your lane without warning. You can avoid the collision by remaining alert at all times and never assuming that the vehicle ahead of you can see you. Always leave sufficient space between you and the vehicle ahead of you (as well as those in adjacent lanes). Whenever you are on a motorcycle, be prepared to take evasive action at a moment’s notice.
If there is no way to avoid the collision, your best chance of survival is to slow down as much as you can prior to impact. Don’t slam down on your brakes, as this will cause the bike to overturn. However, if you can reduce your speed – even by ten miles per hour – before impact, it will increase your chance of survival.
- When you take a corner too fast
Whenever you are on your bike, obey the speed limit. If you happen to take a corner too fast, you may find your bike out of control. Don’t slam on the breaks. This will cause it to lose traction. Hold the angle you’re leaning into and ride the corner out. You can also try trail braking to shed some speed safely. In general, you should try to avoid laying down your motorcycle except as a last resort.
- When your bike is hit by a car from behind
Fender benders usually don’t result in serious injuries when they are between passenger vehicles. However, they can kill a motorcyclist. Pay attention to other vehicles. Pull up in front of stationary vehicles instead of in your own lane. This allows you to use the stationary vehicles as shields.
Always pay attention to other drivers to increase your chances of avoiding motorcycle accidents.