Riding a motorcycle is substantially different than driving an enclosed vehicle. Motorcycles require more consistent awareness of one’s surroundings for optimal safety. They also require more skill and dexterity to safely operate in traffic.
Motorcycle riders have to establish with the state that they understand the law and safety practices to secure a motorcycle endorsement on their licenses. Sometimes, riders decide to take a refresher course because they have gone so long since their last course. Other times, they may simply want to educate themselves about any trends in motorcycle safety. Those who teach defensive driving techniques often advise motorcycle riders to follow one particular safety rule as a way of reducing their risk of a serious collision.
What do riders need to know?
There are many factors that might contribute to motorcycle collisions. Those factors range from someone’s health to the chemical impairment of other drivers. Some risk factors are in the control of the motorcycle rider, but many of them are not. Ultimately, the best, safest option is for a rider to be defensive and treat others like a source of risk on the road. In fact, many defensive driving instructors now recommend that motorcycle riders pretend they are invisible.
When stopping at an intersection or preparing to merge, it is safest to operate under the assumption that other people in traffic may not have noticed the motorcycle. The extra pause that results could potentially save someone’s life. Many drivers have a hard time spotting motorcycles in traffic and could cause crashes due to improper observation of their surroundings.
No tip eliminates risk
The sad reality for those who enjoy two-wheeled transportation is that they are largely at the mercy of the conduct of others. Even when a motorcycle rider is proactive about implementing the best safety tactics possible, they could end up hurt or worse if they cross paths with the wrong driver.
It is typically a smart move for motorcycle riders to know their rights, including the right to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit in the event of crashes caused by others. Holding a driver at fault accountable can take some of the pressure off of a rider who is struggling with serious injuries after a car-motorcycle collision. Motorcycle crashes tend to be very expensive, and riders who are not at fault should not have to absorb those costs due to someone else’s bad choices.