Focus on Motorcycle Safety this Month
Spring has definitely sprung in Northern California. Great weather means more motorcycles on the roads. The National Safety Council (NSC), the country’s leading non-profit safety advocacy group, promotes Motorcycle Safety Month to remind motorcycle riders and passenger vehicle drivers that they are responsible for making roads and highways safe for motorcyclists.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
More than 5,000 people died in 2017 while operating or riding a motorcycle. Since 1997, the number of yearly motorcycle fatalities has more than doubled. While motorcycles comprise only 3% of all vehicles registered in the U.S. and approximately 0.6% of all vehicle miles traveled, they account for around 14% of yearly traffic fatalities. The vast majority of motorcyclist fatalities are male. More than a fourth of all motorcycle crashes in 2017 involved alcohol impairment.
The Problem with Other Vehicles
The majority of vehicles on the road are cars, trucks, and vans. The NSC believes that many passenger vehicle drivers rarely consider motorcycles and that lack of awareness is a big problem. According to a statement issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle versus passenger vehicle accidents are usually caused by the passenger vehicle’s driver violating the cyclist’s right-of-way. This lack of awareness creates a need for continuing public safety campaigns reminding motorists to look out for motorcycles.
Reasons Why Vehicle Drivers Hit Motorcycles
While the factors that can combine to cause any type of accident are numerous, certain behaviors are often found to be the cause of motorcycle accidents, including:
- Distracted driving
- Drivers do not see the motorcycle due to its smaller size
- Drivers do not correctly anticipate a motorcyclist’s movements
- The visibility of the motorcycle is obstructed by the driver’s blind spot or by other vehicles
Driver education programs and license renewal testing should emphasize the issue of motorcycle awareness. This is particularly true for inexperienced drivers and older drivers who may be experiencing some diminished abilities.
Watch the YouTube video. The news clip below reports on Motorcycle Safety Month.
Older Riders are at Higher Risk
In 2017, 36% of all motorcycle fatalities were older riders (age 50 and up), according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Many older riders are “re-entry riders,” meaning they used to ride when they were younger and have decided to take up the activity again in their later years. Everything changes, though. Not only do reaction times slow, and reflexes become less cat-like, but bikes are more powerful, drivers are more distracted, and there is more traffic on the roads than in previous decades.
A Combination of Safety Gear and Skill
While keeping skills sharp and engaging in refresher safety courses is essential, even the best rider can get in an accident. The actions of other vehicle operators are sometimes impossible to predict and avoid. When an unfortunate collision does happen, safety gear can make a difference. The most critical piece of safety equipment is a full-coverage, DOT-compliant helmet.
Safety technology continues to evolve. Read our post about other high-tech motorcycle safety features that may bring the number of yearly motorcycle fatalities down in the future.
Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Hello, and thank you for reading our piece about Motorcycle Safety Month. I’m Ed Smith, a motorcycle accident lawyer in Sacramento, California. If you or anyone you love has been injured while riding due to the negligence and carelessness of another motorist, my team of experienced injury lawyers is here to help. Call us at (916) 921-6400 for free and friendly legal advice. If you will be calling from outside the local area, please use our toll-free line at (800) 404-5400, or send your inquiry via our online contact form.
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