Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
The fact that motorcycle riders should be skilled and licensed cannot be over overemphasized. Being vehicles on two wheels, motorcycles are less stable and therefore more prone to accidents than cars and buses with four wheels. The common causes of motorcycle accidents include the following;
Rider
Drunkenness, lack of pre-requisite skills, lack of observance of traffic regulations and ill health are some of the ways the rider may cause problems for himself on a motorcycle.
Side Mirrors
The side mirrors are provided for the riders to have a view of the rear, to spot other vehicles coming on the same lane. Many accidents occur at turnings and road junctions because riders do make use of their rear view mirrors
Weight of passenger
If the rider is carrying a passenger who is overweight, the balance may tilt backwards and cause the front tire to lose its firm grip on the surface of the road
Over speeding on potholes
When motorcycles riders attempt to ride with speed on rough roads, the front tire may bounce off course and cause the rider to lose balance.
Brakes
If the brakes are too sharp or they are pressed to cause a sudden stop on motion, the rider's body would still be moving at the former speed and thus would be thrown off the bike.
Clutch
If the clutch is hard such that it takes great effort to pull the cable, it might slip from the rider's grasps suddenly after engaging gear and make the machine to jump to motion catching the rider unawares
Tires
Worn-out tires skid when breaks are applied especially on slippery surfaces. Oily surfaces and wet tar must be avoided. Tire explosion on speeds could make the rider to lose control. So it is advisable to use good tires and inflate them to the appropriate pressure.
Sharp corners
Over speeding in bends and corners can make the bike to skid.
Bright Lights
Lights of oncoming vehicles may blur the vision of the rider and make him to lose control.
Insects
Motorcycle riders are advised to wear spectacles or use the visors of the crash helmet to cover their eyes against the menace of flying insects. Insects may momentarily blindfold the rider and with the pain, lose control and fall.
Stones and other objects
Riders must carefully avoid climbing stones and other objects like banana peels on the road surface. Stone can cause skidding and peels can be slippery.
Obstructing Vehicles
If a car or other vehicles make a careless turn obstructing the movement of the bike, there may be a collision. Even if the rider applies the breaks, it may be so sudden that the bile would somersault.
Rains
Speeding through a water logged area is dangerous. Potholes might be hidden under the water and if the motor cycle runs into the potholes, accidents might occur.
Overtaking vehicles
The impact of large vehicles overtaking a bike may cause the rider to lose control because of the wind speed and weight of the large vehicles. On the highways, the loud blasts of the horns of these trucks and trailers may cause a shock for the motor cycle rider such that he loses control.
Crossing children or pets
Pets or children crossing the roads are potential sources of accidents for the motor cycle rider.
Following a moving vehicle too closely
If the rider is following a vehicle too closely, a sudden slow down of that vehicle may catch him unawares such that the braking distance becomes longer than the available space between him and the vehicle. This might just result in a collision.
Other Road Users
Other road users driving bigger vehicles may be oppressive on the roads because of the relatively smaller frame of the motorcycle and the rider. At times, motorcycle riders die or sustain injuries caused by hit and run drivers.
