Motorcycles are very popular in both Indiana and Illinois. According to Statista, state motorcycle registrations in Illinois number among the highest in the United States, with Illinois ranking 8th in the nation for having 314,802 motorcycle registrants. Indiana follows close behind, ranking 11th and having 252,280 motorcycle registrations in 2019.
The roads and highways of Indiana and Illinois are shared by motorcycles riding alongside larger motor vehicles (sedans, SUVs, pickups, minivans) as well as heavy and huge commercial trucks (semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, big rigs, tractor trailers). For the motorcyclist, the discrepancy in size and weight of the motorcycle in comparison to other vehicles on the roadway creates a specific type of risk of serious accident or death in the event of a collision.
Other factors, including (1) current state helmet laws; (2) weather conditions; (3) road hazards; and (4) driver errors caused by distracted driving, drowsy driving, speeding, etc. compound the likelihood that a motorcycle accident in Indiana or Illinois will result in catastrophic injuries or death.
Considering that Indiana and Illinois rank among the states with the highest number of motorcycles while also being known for our extensive commercial truck traffic here in the “Crossroads of America,” the risk of a serious or fatal motorcycle crash is particular high in our part of the country.
For more, read:
- Motorcycle Safety Awareness: Federal Government Works to Prevent Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
- May 2019: Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Indiana and Illinois
- Motorcycle Accident in Indiana or Illinois: Risk of Death or Serious Injury in a Motorcycle Crash.
Risk of Fatality in Motorcycle Crash: The Other Vehicle
According to the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command of the United States Army, as part of its Motorcycle Safety Training for Non-Motorcycle Riders, the following statistics warn of the increased risk facing a motorcycle on the roads with drivers of other motor vehicles:
- In the majority of crashes between passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the passenger vehicle violated the motorcyclist’s right-of-way.
- Over half of all fatal motorcycle crashes (56%) were multi-vehicle crashes.
- Almost half (43%) of all fatal motorcycle crashes happened when the larger motor vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, with the larger vehicle colliding with the motorcycle.
May 2021 is Motorcycle Awareness Month
Since the American Motorcyclists Association (“AMA”) announced the first annual Motorcycle Awareness Month over 40 years ago, it has become a national safety awareness campaign backed not only by other motorcyclist groups, but also by renowned non-profit safety organizations like the Illinois-based National Safety Council (“NSC”) and by government agencies including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”).
The goal of this year’s campaign is to bolster awareness in drivers of larger motor vehicles of the special concerns involved with sharing roadways and traffic lanes with motorcycles.
Drivers of both passenger cars, SUVs, and minivans, as well as truckers and bus drivers should operate their vehicles with the idea that a motorcycle may be nearby, taking steps that include:
- Doublechecking mirrors for motorcycles behind them on the road;
- Checking blind spots for the chance there is a nearby motorcycle before changing lanes in traffic;
- Keeping a safe distance that allows for braking time when following behind a motorcycle;
- Doublechecking oncoming traffic for a motorcycle before making left turns across a traffic lane.
From AMA President Rob Dingman:
“Although a number states have travel restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many riders use a motorcycle as their primary vehicle, commuting to essential jobs, making deliveries and running errands. As travel restrictions are relaxed, many more motorcyclists will take to the nation’s roads and highways, so we implore motorists to be on the lookout for motorcyclists.
“Motorcycle Awareness Month is our opportunity to call attention to the safety issues affecting motorcycle road riding, which in turn encourages motorists to stay alert for motorcyclists throughout the rest of the year.”
Need for Drivers to Be Alert to Motorcycles on the Road
The NHTSA’s month-long Awareness campaign includes resources and incentives to help drivers who have never driven a motorcycle understand the differences between operating a motorcycle and any other type of motor vehicle. The idea is that this awareness will help motorists to be more aware and understanding of motorcyclists on the roadway, and build an appreciation that motorcyclists have the same rights and privileges as any other motor vehicle operator on our roads.
NHTSA offers the following guidance for motorists sharing roadways with motorcyclists:
- Be aware that the motor vehicle driver is in control of a much larger machine and this makes it imperative that these drivers keep a close watch for motorcyclists who may be riding nearby.
- Remember that motorcycles operate on the roadways and traffic lanes under the same rules and regulations as other motor vehicles. The motorcycle should be respected and given the full width of the lane at all times.
- Drivers should always use a turn signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic, turning on that signal with enough time for others on the road to be aware of the signal before the lane change.
- Drivers should understand that motorcycle signals are often non-cancelling. The motorcyclist has to turn them off as well as on. Drivers should make sure the motorcycle is turning before driving ahead.
- Drivers should always check mirrors and blind spots for nearby motorcycles.
- Drivers should allow extra distance when following behind a motorcycle to give the driver additional time to stop or maneuver if necessary.
- Drivers should never drive with any distractions or impairments, and this is especially true when sharing the roadway with a motorcycle.
Fatal Motorcycle Crashes in Indiana and Illinois
Despite the efforts of the national campaign during May 2021 for greater Motorcycle Awareness by drivers on our roads, there will be serious and fatal accidents involving motorcycles being hit by larger motor vehicles.
It is true that motorcycles are smaller and therefore harder to see on our roads. It is also true that motorcycles may appear farther away than they really are on the roads, or they may not seem to be moving as fast as their real speed limit.
Nevertheless, drivers of larger motor vehicles have the same duty of care when operating their motor vehicle on the roads of Indiana and Illinois when sharing a roadway with a motorcycle as any other registered motor vehicle. Sadly, driver errors that may not have resulted in an accident, or at most a minor collision, with a larger vehicle can be a deadly crash when a motorcycle is involved.
Victims of fatal motorcycle accidents and their families may have legal claims for justice under the negligence, product liability, and wrongful death laws of Indiana and Illinois based upon the driver’s breach of this legal duty of care.
For more on motorcycle accidents, read:
- Deadly Motorcycle Accidents: No Mandatory Helmet Laws for Indiana and Illinois
- Arguments against the Motorcycle Helmet: Illinois and Indiana Helmet Laws
- Motorcycle Accidents: Highest Risk for Fatality is in July
- Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Indiana and Illinois: How Great is the Danger?
- Fatal Motorcycle Accidents: Failure of Other Drivers’ Motorcycle Awareness
Increasing driver awareness of the special considerations involved in operating a motorcycle and sharing the roadways with a motorcycle is a worthy endeavor and we support May 2021 as Motorcycle Awareness Month. Please be careful out there!
