Road accidents can be devastating.
More often than not, the worst casualties involve motorcycle riders.
What is worse, statistics have suggested that motorcycle accidents are steadily on the increase.
Why are motorcycle riders at greater risk for injuries from accidents? These are the main reasons: o Need for balance.
Whereas a car rests securely on four wheels, the physics involved makes motorcycles prone to tipping over.
Thus, unlike in a car, a rider on a motorcycle has to deliberately maintain balance.
Rough or bumpy roads, potholes, and obstacles such as fallen objects can easily cause the rider to lose balance leading to a fall.
Similarly, wet or slippery roads-either due to bad weather or an oil spill-can also result in grievous motorcycle accidents when other vehicles would be unaffected.
o Riding practices.
Their smaller size enables motorcycles to navigate around bigger vehicles.
Many riders take undue advantage of this by indulging in risky driving.
Filtering and undertaking are especially responsible for causing motorcycle accidents.
Filtering refers to a motorcyclist trying to overtake another vehicle from outside or between traffic lanes.
Undertaking refers to a rider overtaking a slower vehicle from the lane on the kerb side of the road.
Motorcycle accidents commonly occur in these instances because the other driver fails to see the motorcycle approaching.
o Lack of protection.
When motorcycle accidents occur, riders usually sustain serious injuries because they are more exposed.
In case of collision, car drivers are usually protected by the body of the car around them, whereas a motorcyclist takes the full brunt of the impact.
The rider is often thrown off the bike and is at risk of being hit by other vehicles on the road.
These are some tips to prevent motorcycle accidents and lessen the impact of the injuries: o Develop safe riding techniques by attending a formal motorcycle-riding course.
o Always wear a helmet and protective clothing.
o Never ride after drinking or if you are feeling drowsy.
o Avoid riding at night or during bad weather.
o Be consistent in following road rules-your safety depends on it.
More often than not, the worst casualties involve motorcycle riders.
What is worse, statistics have suggested that motorcycle accidents are steadily on the increase.
Why are motorcycle riders at greater risk for injuries from accidents? These are the main reasons: o Need for balance.
Whereas a car rests securely on four wheels, the physics involved makes motorcycles prone to tipping over.
Thus, unlike in a car, a rider on a motorcycle has to deliberately maintain balance.
Rough or bumpy roads, potholes, and obstacles such as fallen objects can easily cause the rider to lose balance leading to a fall.
Similarly, wet or slippery roads-either due to bad weather or an oil spill-can also result in grievous motorcycle accidents when other vehicles would be unaffected.
o Riding practices.
Their smaller size enables motorcycles to navigate around bigger vehicles.
Many riders take undue advantage of this by indulging in risky driving.
Filtering and undertaking are especially responsible for causing motorcycle accidents.
Filtering refers to a motorcyclist trying to overtake another vehicle from outside or between traffic lanes.
Undertaking refers to a rider overtaking a slower vehicle from the lane on the kerb side of the road.
Motorcycle accidents commonly occur in these instances because the other driver fails to see the motorcycle approaching.
o Lack of protection.
When motorcycle accidents occur, riders usually sustain serious injuries because they are more exposed.
In case of collision, car drivers are usually protected by the body of the car around them, whereas a motorcyclist takes the full brunt of the impact.
The rider is often thrown off the bike and is at risk of being hit by other vehicles on the road.
These are some tips to prevent motorcycle accidents and lessen the impact of the injuries: o Develop safe riding techniques by attending a formal motorcycle-riding course.
o Always wear a helmet and protective clothing.
o Never ride after drinking or if you are feeling drowsy.
o Avoid riding at night or during bad weather.
o Be consistent in following road rules-your safety depends on it.
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