In 2019, 84,000 people were victims of a motorcycle accident in California. Motorcycle accidents are often serious because riders don’t have the protection of a car. It’s a good idea for both car drivers and motorcyclists to learn about the common causes of motorcycle accidents to reduce their occurrences.
Consciously check for motorcyclists
In the majority of motorcycle accidents, the motorcycle crashes head-on into another vehicle, but this isn’t always their fault. Drivers could get into the habit of checking for both cars and motorcycles before changing lanes. It’s more likely that you would hit a motorcyclist if you don’t consciously check for them separately from cars. The brain becomes used to only searching for the larger shape of a car, which could result in the motorcyclist not registering until it’s too late.
Follow the law
Going the speed limit and obeying stop signs, red lights and other road signs reduces your risk of all types of accidents. When it’s raining or snowing, you need to drive slower than the speed limit because a wet road makes it easier to lose control of your vehicle. Wet roads also increase your stopping time.
Focus on driving
Whether you are driving a car or riding a motorcycle, inattention increases your risk of an accident. Motorcyclists must watch for additional dangers like an uneven pavement, potholes, roadkill and unexpected objects on the road. Hitting one of these hazards is more dangerous for a motorcyclist than a driver. People aren’t good at multitasking, which is why it’s necessary to stay focused on the road. Distracted driving is illegal as well. Anything that takes your attention off of the road, including talking to passengers and eating, is distracted driving.
Motorcycle accidents often happen because the driver didn’t notice the motorcyclist. It’s important to focus on the road and consciously check for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic.