With traffic reaching an all-time high and people finding the need to save up due to high gasoline prices, motorcycles peaked in sales because they seem to offer a way to resolve these dilemmas. But the positive value that motorcycles bring in does have its setbacks. Apparently, riding in motorcycles are also considered to be very dangerous and one of the foremost reasons for road accidents. Why does this happen? An interesting research actually showed that 70% of motorcycle accidents occur because those who drive four-wheeled vehicles often fail to recognize motorcycles on-road. Moreover this usually happens during night time or when there’s heavy traffic involved.
Apart from the difficulty to spot motorcycles, bad conditions on the road as well as the usual speeding and drunk-driving are also among the major reasons why such accidents happen. Even if the accidents are mostly attributed to the vehicle drivers, this does not mean that the motorcycle drivers themselves are not liable. In one way of another they have also played their part for such things to happen. So if you own a motorcycle and would like to make sure you ride it safely, here are some practical and preventive measures you might want to always keep in check to protect yourself against motorcycle accidents:
1. Always wear your helmet – Around 80% of accidents attributed to motorcycle driving is caused by this. Most people probably forget or feel like it really isn’t much of a difference whether you wear a helmet or not when riding a motorcycle. But for the record, it really does. Regardless how heavy it is, motorcycle helmets are strictly engineered to be able to absorb the impact of collisions.
2. Avoid tailgating especially during heavy traffic – Some motorcycle drivers tend to feel invincible in these two-wheeled vehicles. They think just because it seems lighter it will be much easier for them to navigate it according to the way they want it to. But what most drivers forget is that those who drive behind them four-wheelers can also change their mind and that those vehicles can also snap its movements at any given time. This is why tailgating is such a big driving offense because you end up occupying the rightful road space of other vehicles when you do this.
3. Practice precaution when carrying passengers – If it can be helped and if you are not that expert in driving a motorcycle, do not take on kids as a passenger. They can be quite unpredictable and even if you place them on your front, that wouldn’t be able to guarantee a safer ride for the both of you. You should also refuse to take on passengers who do not have their safety gears most especially a helmet. You should also check whether your very own motorcycle is designed to take on passengers so it is also helpful to check the weight limit that with your owner’s manual.
Being on a motorcycle have its privileges, but it’s good to remember that those privileges would cease to be if you do not practice your own safety measures.
