It is no secret that motorcycles are becoming more prevalent on New York roads. Many love the savings in gas that these eco-conscious motor vehicles provide, and some people are addicted to the thrill of worshiping the road on two wheels. However, it is also no secret that riding a motorcycle is dangerous, and riders would do well to be aware of the potentially disastrous consequences. According to the National Safety Council, motorcycles only make up 3% of all registered vehicles but accounted for nearly 14% of traffic fatalities in 2017.
In order to prevent becoming a gruesome statistic, it is important for motorcyclists to be aware of one crucial fact: the majority of other vehicle drivers are not aware of motorcycles on the road. Motorcycles have a slimmer profile and are more likely to be in a car’s blind spot as compared to a bigger four-wheeled vehicle. Many automobile drivers, when involved in a motorcycle accident, will claim that they never saw the motorcycle.
In this, it is paramount to increase your visibility as much as possible. Remember to drive to the side of the lane, so that it increases the chance of you being spotted in an automobile’s side-view mirror. Bright colors are also important: somebody is more likely to notice you if you are wearing electric yellow as opposed to Rebel-Without-A-Cause-black.
Did you know that nearly half of all motorcycle accidents occur at intersections? Be especially alert at intersections, particularly for cars that are turning left. Driving defensively is important for those in four-wheeled vehicles as well, but for motorcyclists it can literally be a life-or-death difference.