Taking your motorcycle out for a spin can be fun and convenient, but it comes with some dangers. There are a lot of unique threats to the health and safety of motorcyclists. Motorcycles make up only 4 percent of all vehicles in Washington state but account for 14 percent of traffic fatalities.
Why are motorcyclists more likely to die than others? Staying aware of the risks you face and paying attention while riding may help you avoid collisions. Here are some common safety threats for motorcyclists
Debris on the road
Motorcycles are great for handling corners and harrowing situations on normal roads. But once obstacles enter the picture, it can get tricky. Dirt, sticks, roadkill and gravel can be hard to handle. Road debris makes you lose traction and takes away your grip power. This can result in your bike behaving unpredictably.
Car doors opening
When you are riding in cities and neighborhoods, you have to watch out for car doors. Inattentive people open their doors on motorcyclists so much that it has become a common term known as “dooring.” This is proof that moving vehicles are not the only hazard. Stay as far away as possible from parked cars.
Vehicles changing lanes
You would assume and hope that drivers care about not causing fatal collisions. Despite the fact that more motorcyclists are on the road, many motorists do not pay attention to them when switching lanes. When a car or truck changes lanes that a motorcycle is occupying, it is the rider who is at risk of getting severely hurt.
Oncoming traffic
One of the scariest situations when riding a motorcycle is being on a two-lane road without any protective barrier between you and the traffic coming from the opposite direction. If a driver drifts into your lane, you are in serious trouble. Even just getting clipped by an oncoming vehicle can result in catastrophic injuries. Stay alert and watch for inattentive drivers.
