The last thing on any rider’s mind while on the road is crashing. The topic could be unpleasant but it’s important to understand the risk factors of motorcycle accidents to avoid a dangerous situation because of ignorance.
Research shows that only 20% of reported motorcycle accidents don’t result in injuries or fatalities–meaning 80% of the reported accidents are either fatal or result in serious injuries–that’s sobering! It’s important to contact a Bakersfield motorcycle personal injury lawyer if you’re a victim of a motorcycle accident.
Motorcycle Accidents Statistics
In 2018, 8 out of 10 reported motorcycle accidents were either fatal or resulted in severe injuries, according to the American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration–NHTSA. That is a high figure considering that only 20% of all reported accidents involving motorized vehicles resulted in injuries or fatalities during the same period.
The study further established that riders are 27 times more likely to die after a collision, with over 5,000 motorcyclist annual deaths in the U.S. alone.
The above statistics can be frightening but understanding them and the risk factors can help riders avoid them. What are the risk factors for motorcycle accidents?
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
The causes of motorcycle accidents can be divided into 3 categories, including personal factors, roadway factors, and other road users.
Personal Factors
1. Intoxication
Intoxication is a major cause of all road crashes the world over and it results in dire consequences in the event of a motorcycle accident. A study done by the NHTSA showed that 30% of fatal motorcycle accident cases result from intoxication.
It has been discovered that the effects of alcohol start taking a toll on a person after the first drink–impairing the body in the following ways:
- The Cerebral cortex, which controls judgment and reasoning;
- The Cerebellum: controls balance and coordination;
- The Hypothalamus: controls pain and emotions.
- The Amygdala: controls social behavior.
- The Hippocampus: controls memory.
Intoxicants do not impair critical human functionalities like reaction time but also inhibit sound judgment when riding a motorcycle
2. Overspeeding
Accelerating a motorcycle can be thrilling–one twist feels like unlimited power has been released and you can easily Overspeed if you’re not careful. You’ll also agree with me that sharp bends/ corners and clear straights can be tempting if you’re a rider. However, overspeeding can be disastrous if a 2017 study done by the NHTSA is anything to go by. According to this research, 31% of the fatal motorcycle accidents in that year (2017) resulted from overspeeding.
Overspeeding is relative depending on a different factor. For instance, you can’t ride a motorcycle at the same speed in different weather conditions. In dry weather, your speed will likely be higher because the motorcycle cannot slip unlike in wet weather.
3. Inexperience
It’s important to be licensed before getting on the road. Besides being licensed, you should train to build the confidence to ride on a highway. Shockingly, research indicates that 29% of motorcycle accident fatalities involve unlicensed riders.
New riders should take time to sharpen their skills in less challenging environments, such as deserted roads, playing fields, and others. Also, most motorcycle schools offer continuous training and refreshment courses to new riders and anyone who needs to refresh their riding skills.
4. Physical & Emotional Impairment
Intoxication isn’t the only cause of impaired riding– traffic laws in most states state that any actions that suggest impaired riding ability is can be a basis for arrest. For instance, appearing sleepy while riding a motorbike can result in being arrested. Sleep deprivation of 20 hours is equal to a blood alcohol content of 0.05%.
Controlling a motorcycle requires a blend of physical alertness and strong cognitive& reflex abilities. Consequently, emotional distress or distractions are other risk factors for motorbike accidents. When emotionally distressed or impaired in any other way, just don’t ride!
5. Mechanical Issues
Mechanical problems often occur and sometimes they cannot be prevented. For instance, the braking system may fail at the wrong time resulting in an accident–that’s why it’s important to inspect your bike every day before setting off.
Mechanical issues can be avoided by a regular maintenance routine to ensure defective parts are replaced and rectification of other issues that might need to be addressed. Daily inspection can involve:
- Checking the condition of your tires;
- Checking all the lights;
- Inspecting the performance of the braking system; and
- Checking the fluid levels, such as water, oil, and petrol.
Roadway Features
Roadway features refer to weather conditions and the state of the road. Motorcycle accidents are likely to occur during wet weather conditions hence, riders should be vigilant at such times. Motorcyclists should also adjust their riding depending on the state of the road to avoid accidents. For instance, riders should reduce speed while riding on a damaged section of the road.
There’s a lot more to learn about the risk factors of motorcycle accidents besides the above-mentioned. However, using helmets, sober riding, and proper training can help reduce potential hazards significantly.
