Many people choose motorcycles over cars for transportation. While these vehicles are fun to drive and inexpensive to maintain, there are some important factors to consider when driving them. If you choose to ride a motorcycle, explore tips and strategies to stay safe.
Accident Data
Of the total number of registered vehicles in the United States, only about 2% are motorcycles. Yet these vehicles account for about five percent of all deaths on the nation's highways each year. The difference between these two percentages shows that a large number of people died choosing this means of transport. In motorcycle accidents, approximately 80 percent of the time, the rider is injured or killed. In the event of a car accident, the probability of injury or death to the car's occupants is only 20%.
Vehicle Comparison
The cause of the high rate of accidents with injuries to both parties and the main cause of death on motorcycles is the lack of protection. With automobiles, people are surrounded by the heavy structure of the vehicle. Roof and door beams provide protection in the event of a rollover or impact. Automotive restraint systems and airbags also provide important protection against injury and death in crashes. Cars are also heavier and bulkier. Four-wheel stability is a huge improvement over two-wheel. The motorcycle is also difficult to see on the road due to its smaller size. This difficulty sometimes means that other drivers cannot see the motorcycle at all, which can lead to serious accidents.
Agility Factor
While these vehicles have some serious safety issues, there are some positives as well. Motorcyclists have better mobility and agility on the road. That driver can often stop and turn faster to avoid obstacles. While these are important benefits, they don't fully outweigh the negative security concerns.
Stay Safe
Knowing about potential problems can help improve overall security. Follow cycling recommendations to avoid accidents and injuries.
