In 2019, 34% of motorcycle riders killed in accidents were under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol-related accidents are just one of the many types of accidents that riders can experience. If you ride, knowing motorcycle safety is imperative for avoiding an accident.
Learn about the different types of motorcycle accidents and how they are caused in this article.
Left Turning Cars
Motorcycles and their riders are tiny compared to the oversized SUVs and trucks that the automotive industry puts on the road today. The problem with this is that other drivers have a hard time seeing them. A driver that’s attempting to cross oncoming traffic lanes to make a left-hand turn may not see a motorcycle traveling towards them.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is when a motorcycle rider maneuvers their bike between two lanes of stopped or slow-moving vehicles. You may also hear it called “riding the line” because that is what the motorcycle’s tires are doing on the line between the two lanes of traffic.
While it’s legal in some states, it’s illegal in a majority because it’s dangerous. Drivers don’t expect it to happen, and it drastically reduces the space between the motorcycle and other vehicles.
Lane Switching
There are two ways an accident happens during lane switching when involving motorcycles. The first is a driver switching lanes into a motorcycle. They may not look closely enough to see or notice the motorcycle in the next lane that’s in their blind spot.
The second is when a motorcycle travels faster than the vehicles around them. Since the motorcycle is small, they can easily switch between multiple lanes to weave their way through traffic. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, for vehicle drivers to know the motorcycle’s location.
High Speed
Motorcycles accelerate quickly and can travel at high rates of speed, especially sport bikes. This makes them a high risk for speed-related accidents. People travel at a faster speed than their abilities or the road conditions and end up getting seriously hurt.
You can see more here about the potential injuries that come when experiencing a motorcycle accident.
Intoxication
One of the easiest ways to avoid a motorcycle crash is to not drink and ride. Unfortunately, the social nature of riding often involves alcohol. Know your limit and stop drinking with plenty of time to sober up before riding.
Cornering
Cornering presents a risk to riders as it is difficult to correct or adjust mid-turn. Take the turn too fast, and you can overshoot the turn, causing you to run off the road. Encounter sand, gravel, water, or leaves, and you could lose traction.
Head-On and Rear-End
Both of these are commonly caused by vehicle drivers simply not paying attention to what is happening on the road around them. As a motorcycle rider, you should constantly scan the area around you. If you see someone distracted, move away from them.
Head-on accidents happen when an oncoming vehicle leaves its lane of traffic and enters the lane of oncoming traffic. Rear-end accidents happen when a vehicle runs into the back of another vehicle traveling in the same direction.
Types of Motorcycle Accidents
You can avoid these common types of motorcycle accidents by always practicing rider safety. Never drive impaired and stay alert as you follow the rules of the road. Finally, adjust your riding for the current roads conditions and traffic level.
If you love all things motorcycle, then you need to check out our other moto-themed articles for more interesting and useful information.
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