ALT-4 Common causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Just ask any motorcycle enthusiast and they will undoubtedly tell you how tough it is to beat the rush of adrenaline achieved as they are seemingly flying down the open road. That feeling of absolute freedom. The ever present danger. The wind in their face. (The bugs in their teeth?)
Yes, motorcycles can be fun, exciting and enjoyable. But like your Mom always told you, they can also be deadly. You are much more likely -over 200% more- to be involved in an injury accident if you are riding a motorcycle instead of driving a car. The number of motorcycle accidents and rider fatalities gets higher every year. Riding has become more popular in recent years. In 2007 motorcyclists accounted for 13% of all traffic fatalities. There were 7.1 million motorcycle riders on the road in 2008. And older motorcycle riders now account for half of all motorcycle fatalities. According to the US Dept. of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, in 2007 49% of riders killed in crashes were age 40 or over, compared with 33% just ten years earlier.
There are many factors that play a part in the ever increasing number of motorcycle accidents.
1. OTHER DRIVERS. The number one cause of accidents is drivers of automobiles failing to see the motorcycle in traffic, or not seeing it until it is too late. Most frequently an accident happens when the driver of a car fails to see the motorcyclist and turns left in front of him/her. The most likely place for an accident is at an intersection when the driver of a vehicle fails to yield the right of way to the bike.2. AGE. There has been a dramatic jump in the number of deaths in riders over the age of 40 in recent years. It is becoming more commonplace for these older riders, who in the past have only sat behind the wheel of a car, to decide to go out and buy a motorcycle. Some are new to riding and others haven't ridden in years.3. ALCOHOL. In 2007 27% of riders that were killed in an accident had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0.08%, the level at which you are considered to be a drunk driver. Of all motorcycle fatalities in 2007, 28% were at or over that limit. Older, fatally injured drivers between the ages of 45-49 had the highest percentage of BACs above the legal limit.4. SPEEDING. In 2007 36% of riders killed in crashes were speeding.5. SAFETY ISSUES. (a) Bikes are more likely to be involved in an accident with a stationary object than with another vehicle. For example the rider doesn't slow down enough to make a turn and hits the curb, a pole, a tree, etc. (b) Another safety concern is that more riders are opting to ride without a helmet. Statistics have shown that helmets are 30% effective at preventing an accident from being fatal for the rider, and 67% effective in preventing brain injury. (c) Road conditions can be a factor in an accident. Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable to the weather and the condition of the road than are the people who are driving closed vehicles. (d) Driving at night is more dangerous than driving during daylight hours. 60% of cyclist fatalities occur at night. (e) Almost one third of fatally injured riders are not properly licensed.6. TYPE OF MOTORCYCLE. The type of the motorcycle driven is also a factor. Riders of the "supersports" motorcycles have fatality rates nearly four times higher than the drivers of other types of motorcycles. These "supersports" are lightweight, aerodynamic, and can reach a speed of 190 miles per hour. These bikes are very popular in the under-30 age range.
There are several things you can do to be a safety-minded, responsible rider that may help decrease your chance of an accident.
(1) Take a riding course or a refresher course. (2) Make sure you are properly licensed. (3) Anticipate the actions of other drivers. (4) Don't drink and drive. (5) Obey the speed limit and make allowances for road conditions. (6) Use the proper gear. (7) Make yourself more visible to other drivers. Wearing reflective clothing if driving at night is always a good idea. (8) Practice Practice Practice.
