2019 is down, and we have officially entered a New Year and rung a new decade. Some good things happened in 2019, other things changed for good, but road accidents left a nasty stain – again.
Despite all the traffic rules and road safety awareness campaigns, stats show that things are not that good on the road. According to WHO (World Health Organization), almost 1.35 million people die every year as a result of road accidents, and road crashes cost most countries around 3% of their GDP. On top of that, road accident injuries are the leading cause of fatalities among people aged 5-29. As far as global vehicle traffic is concerned, we have a long way to go if we are serious about safety and protecting lives..
No matter what type of vehicle you are driving, you need to be careful. Though motorcycle accidents don’t usually make the headlines, they do often occur, and there can be various reasons behind that. If we really want to fulfill the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of halving the global number of deaths and injuries due to road traffic accidents, we need to know and work on their causes.
Below, we have listed the main causes of motocycle accidents, plus what riders should be careful about:
Speeding
Speeding bikes might look cool in movies, but in reality, if you go too fast you are riding a lethal machine, i.e., a machine that can kill. In fact, in 2012, 34 percent of motorcycle fatalities occurred due to speeding. The problem is, unlike other vehicles, that the bike is open. Only one slip can crash you into something and cause severe injuries and even death.
I have heard many bikers say that they are not really riding if they don’t go at a very high speed. If that is your case, you should not be riding at all! Risking your own life and other people’s is not only illegal, it is also foolish, selfish, and irresponsible. Either keep a check on your speed or find another way to get around. It is as simple as that!
Alcohol Consumption
If you are an alcohol consumer, you don’t need to know what it does to your brain, body movement, and sense of judgment. We all know that driving a car or riding a motorbike after consuming more alcohol than the legal limit in any country is against the law and extremely dangerous. No matter how you try to argue your case, using a vehicle when you are intoxicated is wrong!
According to the stats by NHTSA, 27 percent of riders in fatal accidents had a blood concentration level of at least 0.08. That means that they were impaired and in no condition to ride a bike. What would the national death rate have been if all those people had not consumed any alcohol at all? Many people who are no longer with us would be.
Even if you have something urgent to attend to, drinking and driving or riding is simply not worth it – it is also illegal.
You can ask a friend to drop you off, call a taxi, or book an Uber to take you. No matter where you are, there are always other options you should consider.
Lack of Experience and Licensing
Did you know that a driving license does not qualify you to operate every kind of vehicle that exists? Just like you can’t drive an HGV truck on your car’s license, you can’t ride a motorbike either. Many people do not know this. They think their normal car driving license entitles them to ride a bike, drive a truck, etc.
Our roads are full of motorcycle riders who never got the proper training. They are placing their and other people’s lives at risk, especially if they go too fast or consume alcohol.
Experienced motorcycle accident attorneys might save you if you end up in an accident, but it is always better to stay safe than sorry.
Weather
Motorcycles are the worst vehicles to control in severe weather conditions. They slip easily and are tricky to steer. It is much more difficult to control a motorbike round corners or bends when there is ice, oil, or a pothole on the road.
Whenever the weather is bad, remember that your vehicle is less stable than a normal car. Ride extra carefully!
Conclusion
Various factors can lead to motorcycle accidents. However, there is one thing most studies agree on – usually they are due to negligence on part of the biker. Some accidents are simply inevitable. There is nothing you can do to prevent a meteor from hitting you on the head or a drunk driver crashing into you from behind.
However, you can significantly reduce your risk of collision, injury, and death if you ride with care, get the proper training and license, and don’t become intoxicated when you are on the road.
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Interesting related article: “Accidents in bad road conditions. Who is at fault?“