3 ways to avoid getting into a crash while on your motorcycle
3 ways to avoid getting into a crash while on your motorcycle
Riding a motorcycle is certainly more exhilarating than driving a car. From the feeling of the wind rushing past you to the freedom to maneuver, there are many differences that draw people to motorcycles instead of larger vehicles.
Unfortunately, the adventure of riding a motorcycle comes at a cost. Specifically, motorcycle crashes are more likely than other collisions to prove deadly. An irresponsible person in a car could cause lifelong issues for a responsible motorcycle driver.
Thankfully, there are certain things you can do to limit your risk of a crash on a motorcycle.
Make yourself more visible
One of the top excuses drivers give when they caused a crash with a motorcycle is that they didn’t see the vehicle before they hit it. The way that the human brain works means that someone in a vehicle could look right at a motorcycle and not recognize it as a source of risk on the road. The brain might prioritize other information instead.
Making yourself visible so that you draw not just the eye but the awareness of drivers could help you avoid crashes caused by inattentive drivers. Lights, reflectors and even bright colors can increase your visibility.
Learn defensive driving tactics
Even if you have already taken a defensive driving course that focuses on automotive safety, it might be smart to invest some time into learning defensive driving tactics specifically for motorcycles. The precautions you need to take and the appropriate responses are different on a motorcycle than they are with larger vehicles.
Assume that the drivers around you will make bad decisions
Perhaps the most important thing you can do to keep yourself safe is to not allow other driver’s control over the circumstances. At a four-way stop, you may know that you arrived there first, but that won’t stop the SUV to your right from crashing into you because they think it’s their turn to go.
When in doubt about whether someone in a vehicle has seen you, it’s best to err on the side of caution and wait a few extra seconds to make sure they come to a stop or that they don’t turn in front of you.
Unfortunately, all the care in the world can’t compensate for the behavior of inattentive drivers. Anyone who gets hurt on a motorcycle will likely have options to bring an insurance claim against the driver who hurt them or possibly even a lawsuit.
