As the weather gets warmer, more and more motorcyclists undoubtedly will take to the crease in riders, unfortunately, we will see an increase in motorcycle accidents.
And even though motorcycle accidents don’t necessarily occur at a higher rate than other types of accidents, the consequences often are much worse since serious injuries or death are more likely to result from motorcycle wrecks. In fact, recent data indicate that per mile travelled, motorcycle accidents lead to 35 times more deaths than car accidents.
Being aware of the top causes of motorcycle accidents may help you reduce your risk of being involved in one. Here are some of the key factors that cause motorcycle accidents:
- Left-hand turns made by cars. This is the #1 reason for accidents between cars and motorcycles, accounting for over 40 per-cent of such collisions.
- Lane splitting by motorcycles. Because car drivers usually don’t anticipate a motorcy-cle driving between them and the vehicle next to them (and because of the tight spaces between vehicles), lane splitting is a common cause of accidents.
- Speeding and alcohol use by the motorcy-clist. Speeding or alcohol use is a factor in nearly half of the accidents involving a single motorcycle.
- Road hazards. Because of their small size, small tires and instability issues, motorcy-cles are more susceptible to road hazards such as potholes, animals (dead or alive), uneven pavement, wet roads, etc.
- The next time you or a loved one heads out on a motorcycle, please be aware of the common threats riders face and use extra precaution to help reduce your risk of being involved in an accident.