Dear Cars, This Is What You Need to Know About Motorcycles
No matter whether you drive in the city or out in more rural areas, there are multiple things to be concerned about at all times. You need to worry about other automobiles, pedestrians crossing the street, speed limit signs, construction zones, and several other factors in order to ensure your own safety and the safety of others.
Motorcycles have become increasingly popular over the years due to their convenience, lower cost, fuel efficiency, and other reasons. When you’re out on the road, you’re likely to come across motorcyclists who are there for the same reason that you are – getting from point A to point B. However, there are a few things that “cagers” (a term given to drivers of standard four-wheeled automobiles) should know about motorcycles to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.
Cars and Trucks Outnumber Motorcycles by a Wide Margin
When you’re out on the street, what do you typically see in terms of automobiles? There are cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and the occasional motorcycle. We say occasional because although motorcycles have become more popular in recent years, they’re still greatly outnumbered by everyone else. This means that many people are not accustomed to interacting with them and that is exactly why you should always exercise caution.
Motorcycles Can Get Lost in Blindspots
It’s no secret that motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles that you interact with on a regular basis. Because of this, it is essential that you are aware of your blind spots at all times, because it’s much easier for a motorcycle to be blocked from view. This is especially important if you’ve already spotted a motorcycle driving amongst the traffic surrounding your vehicle.
Motorcyclists May Need to Switch Lanes More Often
When drivers notice that a motorcycle is changing lanes or shifting position on a continuous basis, many of them believe that the motorcyclist is being irresponsible and driving erratically. But, the truth is often much simpler than that. Motorcycles are affected by even the smallest amount of debris or kinks in the roadway, so they sometimes have to move around more to avoid such things.
You Can’t Always Rely on Brake Lights
It is a simple truth that drivers routinely rely on brake lights on the vehicles ahead to warn them that they need to slow down, most likely in order to avoid rear-ending another driver. With motorcycles, however, it’s a little more complicated than that. Since motorcycles operate differently than four-wheeled automobiles, their drivers will often slow down by either downshifting or rolling off the throttle, which means the brake lights won’t activate.
Motorcycles Are More Vulnerable
Many drivers don’t seem to appreciate exactly how vulnerable motorcyclists really are. While traditional automobiles found on the road are protected on all sides and have multiple safety features such as seatbelts and airbags, motorcycles do not have those luxuries. This means that when a motorcycle is involved in an accident, even a somewhat minor one, the driver is often thrown from the vehicle, which can result in severe injuries or even death.
Be Even More Cautious About Your Speed
Since motorcyclists are more prone to injury if they’re involved in an accident, they can become easily distressed when drivers speed around them or, in the case of sitting at a red light, wait until the very last moment to start braking behind them. This added stress can cause accidents to occur, so please watch your speed.
If you’d like to learn more about traffic safety, or if you have experienced a traffic accident or injury, be sure to reach out to the professionals at Mintz Law Firm. Our team of seasoned attorneys will provide you with a free case evaluation and will start working for you right away to ensure that you are treated fairly.