Major Cause of Motorcycle Accidents
There isn't just one cause of motorcycle accidents. There are many causes that can lead to serious injury and even death. According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System from the National Highway Safety Administration, there were a total of 5,290 motorcyclists killed in 2008--an increase of 2 percent over 2007. Of those, 59 percent were not wearing helmets. Thirty-five percent of those killed were speeding, according to Edgar Snyder & Associates.
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Other Motorists
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A main cause of many motorcycle accidents is the failure of other motorists to yield to the motorcycle driver. This is especially during heavy traffic or at night. According to Why Bike, about 70 percent of the accidents are a result of other motorists failing to recognize and share the road with motorcycles. "Virtually two-thirds of all accidents involving a motorcycle and another motor vehicle are a direct result of a motorist in the car turning into the lane of a motorcycle and violating the motorcyclist's right of way," according to Law Core.
Road Conditions
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According to Why Bike, "Motorcyclists usually suffer in case of bad road conditions like potholes, debris and uneven places." Two percent of accidents were caused by some kind of roadway defect, according to New York Biker Lawyers. Bad weather can make the roads slick, thereby causing the motorcyclist to lose control of the vehicle.
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Drinking
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According to Edgar Snyder & Associates, 26 percent of the fatal accidents that occurred in 2008 were due to the drivers' consumption of alcohol. The FARS found that there were high levels of alcohol found in the blood in motorcycle fatalities.
Speeding
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Nearly two-thirds of motorcycle fatalities "were associated with speeding as an operator contributing factor in the crash," according to Web Bike World. Speed remains a main cause of accidents because the motorcycle operator does not pay attention to the speed limit, thereby limiting the amount of control he has over the vehicle. "Speed displaces the alignment of the motorcycle, as it causes the front end to wobble. Hence, the motorcyclist loses control and collides against any stationary object or moving vehicle," according to Why Bike.
Other Causes
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Other causes of motorcycle accidents are lack of experience, lack of braking while turning, bad weather and negligence. According to Web Bike World, half the fatalities that occur are related to the improper negotiation of a turn or bend in the road.
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References
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- Photo Credit motorcycle on a road image by Veronika Trofer from Fotolia.com
