Motorcycle safety & crashworthiness

Motorcycles are not crashworthy vehicles. Motorcycle crashes are extremely violent because the motorcycle provides no protection for the rider or passenger. Because of the dangers associated with motorcycles, safety plays a crucial role in helping to minimize injuries in accidents.

Factors that contribute to an accident

Several factors can contribute to a motorcycle crash. It is important to know these factors so that a motorcyclist can be prepared for these situations. Some common contributing factors are:

• Operator inexperience
• Operator's failure to appreciate the limitations of the motorcycle.
• Motorists turning into the path of the motorcycle. Approximately one-third of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes result from this scenario.
• Defective or bad roads

Motorcycle Safety Factors:

• Experience. Knowing the limitations of the bike are crucial because motorcyclists need to drive defensively.
• Know Your Bike. Have a thorough knowledge of the controls on your motorcycle.
• Maintain Visibility. More than drivers of passenger cars and other vehicles, motorcyclists need to make themselves visible at all times.
• Remain Alert. Motorcyclists must be constantly aware of their surroundings to anticipate what might happen. Watch for merging cars, maintain a safe distance, and share the road.
• Communicate. Make sure you let others on the road know your intentions. Signal properly and use your position on the road wisely.
• Remain Sober. Never drink and then operate a motorcycle.
• Combat Fatigue. Avoid riding while you are tired. Take frequent breaks. Riding a motorcycle is more tiring than driving an automobile.
• Remain Cautious. Motorcyclists need to be more cautious when encountering obstacles on the roadway and when riding in bad weather, on slippery roadways, or dangerous surfaces such as grooved roads or railroad tracks.
• Avoid Crashes. Learn avoidance techniques such as quick stops, quick turns, and how to handle bends and corners in the road.
• Wear Safety Gear. Motorcyclists must also wear helmets, eye protection, and clothing that will reduce the severity of an injury in case of a crash.
• Perform Maintenance. Make sure your bike is in top form before every ride.

Safety-Related Statistics:

• Motorcyclists are about 16 times more likely than those in passenger cars to die in a motor vehicle crash.
• Motorcyclists are about 3 times more likely to be injured than those in passenger cars.
• Head injury is the leading cause of death and serious injury in motorcycle crashes.
• Wearing a helmet lowers a motorcycle rider's risk of fatal injury by 29 percent and reduces the risk of traumatic brain injury by 67 percent.