In our prior post, we discussed how the federal government first designated the month of May as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month” over twenty years ago.
Each year, a public awareness campaign is overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seeking to decrease the number of deaths in fatal motorcycle accidents in this country. Illinois’ National Safety Council is a major motorcycle safety advocate working with NHTSA in promoting the monthly campaign.
The core focus for increased safety of motorcycle operators is clear, based upon NHTSA’s research shared with state governments in its latest Guidance Document entitled “Share the Road – Motorist Awareness of Motorcyclists.”
It’s combating the lack of motorcycle awareness in drivers of 4-wheel motor vehicles.
Over 85% of fatal motorcycle accidents involve a crash between a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle where the motorcyclist dies from his or her injuries.
Most Fatal Motorcycle Accidents Happen in May – October
Historically, it’s been shown we are entering the most dangerous time of year for the motorcycle rider. Most fatal motorcycle accidents occur between the months of May and October.
Many expect there to be an even greater number of fatal motorcycle accidents this year. Fatal motorcycle crashes have been on the rise since 2014, and there is nothing to suggest that the trend will reverse in 2018.
For those tempted to take to the road on their bikes here in Indiana and Illinois, it will be a decision to risk their lives and the consequences of any fatal crash upon their loved ones against the pleasure and enjoyment of riding a motorcycle in the warmer spring and summer weather.
It is a risk that the motorcycle operator cannot hedge or minimize no matter how experienced or prudent he may be as a rider. This is because so many fatal motorcycle accidents are caused by the errors or failures of drivers of 4-wheel motor vehicles on the road with him.
Negligence of Other Drivers Causes Most Motorcycle Accident Deaths
There are several reasons why the other drivers, those operating sedans, minivans, SUVs, or pickup trucks, are so often responsible for the death of a motorcyclist.
- Other Drivers Do Not Understand What It Means to Drive a 2-Wheel Motor Vehicle
First of all, these drivers are ignorant of what it means to ride a motorcycle, or to operate a 2-wheel motor vehicle.
Their lack of experience means that the “other drivers” cannot appreciate things like:
- The challenges of operating a motor vehicle that is smaller in size and less visible on the road.
- The need for motorcyclists to downshift.
- Why a motorcycle operator may decide to weave.
Due to these “other drivers’” lack of understanding, they discount or completely fail to discern how or why a motorcyclist will undertake an action on the road. Their incomprehension can result in their failure to anticipate the bike’s actions on the road.
The result can be a motorcyclist driving in a reasonable and prudent manner who collides with a driver of a 4-wheel motor vehicle who has made an error or mistake at the wheel.
- Other Drivers Are Distracted Drivers
Research studies undertaken by NHTSA confirm that the drivers of passenger vehicles are distracted over 50% of the time they are operating their car, minivan, or SUV. Distracted driving by the other driver is a serious threat to the motorcyclist who is sharing the road.
- Other Drivers Do Not Use Their Mirrors
All too often, these fatal motorcycle accidents are caused by a driver who fails to check either his rear-view or side-view mirror before changing lanes or changing speed or braking. Contributing here is the reality that around 40% of most motor vehicle’s outer perimeter zones are hidden, either by blind spots or improper mirror adjustment.
- Other Drivers Turn Too Fast
Another major cause of death for motorcyclists is the other driver who turns too fast at an intersection. This is not a situation where the driver is moving at too high a rate of speed. Instead, it is a driver that is too impatient to wait and make sure that he has checked for motorcyclists on the roadway before moving forward.
- Other Driver Drives Too Fast
The other driver’s speed is another significant cause of fatal motorcycle accidents. Even in a lane change, the rate of speed can mean that the driver does not have enough reaction time to react in time to prevent a collision. Failure to modify speed causes too many motorcyclist deaths.
- Other Driver Tries to Share the Lane
Motorcycles should be given the full lane of traffic. The size of the bike may be smaller than the other driver’s SUV or sedan, but that does not mean that the motorcyclist should not be allowed his full lane width.
Too many other drivers try to share a single lane with a motorcycle, and the result can be deadly.
- Other Drivers Underestimate the Motorcycle
Other drivers can have a tough time being able to see the motorcycle on the road, since it is smaller than 4-wheel motor vehicles. Even if the other driver does spot the bike, there is still the danger that the other driver will not accurately understand the motorcycle’s speed and distance. The other driver may assume he has enough time to cross the intersection, or change lanes and his miscalculation can result in a collision with the bike, killing the motorcyclist.
- Other Drivers Do Not Signal
Sadly, the disregard of motorcycles on the road can mean the other driver does not signal his intention to change lanes before doing so because he fails to check for the motorcyclist or he doesn’t consider it necessary to do so since it’s a bike on the road. Can’t they just weave around him if he’s too close?
Rapid and unannounced lane changing can cause a fatal motorcycle crash.
- Other Drivers Drive Too Close
Not having any experience driving a motorcycle, many drivers of 4-wheel motor vehicles do not comprehend how much more real the roadway is to the motorcyclist. Not only does he feel the sun and wind, but he feels the impact of the road itself much more than the driver of a heavier vehicle.
Motorcycle operators must be ready to react to things like gravel, oil spots, and potholes because these things are much greater dangers to them than they are to the sedan or minivan that can just ramble over the threat.
Minor annoyances to the other driver are dangerous road hazards to the motorcyclist. The failure to comprehend this distinction means that other drivers will be driving too close and not be ready to brake or maneuver for a bike that must take emergency action to avoid a danger in the roadway.
The Ignorance of Motorcycles Causes Too Many Fatal Motorcyclist Accidents
In Indiana and Illinois, as well as the rest of the country, too many drivers are zipping away on their motorcycle and through no fault of their own, are dying in a preventable traffic accident.
Today’s culture does not promote other drivers experiencing the realities of driving a two-wheel vehicle on our streets. This ignorance and lack of understanding is the cause of many fatal motorcycle crashes.
It is not necessary that every driver learn how to drive a motorcycle in order to share the roads safely with those that enjoy motorcycling. However, it is necessary that the negligence of these other drivers be recognized and combatted. Too often, motorcycles on our roads are discounted, ignored, or disrespected with deadly results.
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The tragedy of fatal motorcycle accidents is compounded by the fact that so many deaths are caused by drivers who fail to meet their duties to their fellow drivers on the road. All motorcyclists in Indiana and Illinois must be aware of the risks they face from the lack of comprehension of other drivers. Please be careful out there!
