subject: Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents, Crashes, And Collisions What You Should Know [print this page] Because motorcycles are much less visible and less stable than other vehicles on the road they are more susceptible to driver error and road hazards. Motorcycles may be hard to see on the road, especially in bad weather. Drivers who do not check their mirrors before they change lanes cause motorcycle crashes.
Motorcyclists themselves cause crashes by driving too fast, driving while drunk, weaving between lanes, and driving in bad weather. In almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes the driver drank alcohol before the crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists who have any alcohol in their bodies have five times the risk of getting into an accident than motorcyclists who have consumed no alcohol.
Age is also a factor in motorcycle crashes because reflexes get slower with age, which means older motorcyclists may not be able to adjust to traffic conditions as quickly as necessary to avoid an accident. Hazardous road conditions, including debris on the road, blind corners, potholes, and poorly maintained road surfaces, also cause motorcycle crashes. Defective equipment and mechanical failure are other common causes of motorcycle crashes.
Because motorcycle drivers and their passengers have no protection, motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries. Drivers and passengers may be thrown from their bikes into oncoming traffic. Bikes may land on top of the motorcyclists. Common injuries include broken bones and torn cartilage as well as damage to the back and neck. Head injuries are the leading cause of death among motorcyclists; wearing helmets greatly reduces the risk of serious head injury.
In an attempt to reduce the number of motorcycle-related crashes and injuries, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 implemented safety standards for motorcycles. All states have specific licensing requirements; some require motorcycle training. Plus, many states have additional regulations and standards for motorcycles. Some states require all motorcycle drivers and their passengers to wear helmets, other states require only some motorcyclists to wear helmets, and still other states have no helmet law.
Motorcyclists can reduce their risk of crashing by getting trained and licensed, wearing a helmet, not riding while impaired by drugs or alcohol, and riding within their own limits.
