A large percentage of motorcycle accidents, indeed all road accidents, occur at road junctions or intersections and the majority of those occur in urban areas.
Whilst this is known to be the case by many, and is the scene of the notorious SMIDSY – Sorry Mate I Didn’t See You! whereby drivers pull out from a side road into the path of a motorcyclist, a junction should not necessarily be considered as only where two or more roads meet at 90∘.
Although strictly speaking this may be argued against; junctions or intersections might be regarded at any place where a vehicle may exit from or join a road, be that where roads meet at angles or at roundabouts, or at any property entrances or at other entrances such as a lay by or rest area, etc.
The reasons why so many accidents occur at any type of junction are concerned with some basic factors such as:
- An obscured view.
- A physical impaired view.
- A misjudgement of travelling or approaching speed.
- An excessive travelling speed.
- A lack of anticipation or a slow reaction to a forming hazard.
- Impatience to join a carriageway.
- A riding road position that limits the view of the driver.
- Improper or harsh braking.
- Lack of attention & negligence.
- A lack of visual contrast between the rider and background making it difficult to see the rider.
- Sometimes they are just Mistakes!
Another incident that occur with some regularity are those that are associated with hidden junctions or entrances. Although the basic principles apply, another reason is the fact that either the driver or rider are not expecting a vehicle to suddenly emerge from a hidden part of the road or hidden junction.
All riders should be aware that on narrow roads and with poor vision through the bends, especially in the countryside or when riding through small villages or towns, that vehicles may suddenly appear in the middle of the road or may suddenly emerge from a side road or property entrance.
The key to combating this particular type of accident scenario or hidden hazard is to address the probability of encountering an unforeseen hazard.
- Expect the unexpected: Be mentally prepared for a vehicle to suddenly emerge from a hidden
entrance or in the middle of a narrow road.
- Reduce your speed. In some cases ride noticeably slower than the speed limit, which will give you more time to react.
- Adjust your rider road position away from the mouth of the junction to give both the rider and driver the best view of each other.
- Adjust your rider road position on bends so that you have the best possible view of beyond the bend.
- If yo have to compromise road position, then combine that with a reduction in speed.
- You may wish to wear bright clothing or high visibility clothing that may provide a contrast to the background which may assist a driver in seeing you…however there is no guarantee of this and all riders should not rely on the mere wearing of high visibility clothing to ensure that a driver sees them.
- Make allowances for varying traffic densities. If there is heavy traffic, then be prepared that drivers may suddenly emerge into a rider’s path because they have been impatient. In lower traffic densities, then be prepared that drivers may not even notice an approaching rider.
- Make extra allowances when riding in poor weather or wet and poor road conditions. Allow extra time and create extra space between vehicles to counteract reduced braking performance.
Whilst advice and further training will provide the skills and some of the awareness that may provide some defence to this situation, however there is no guarantee. Each rider must constantly maintain a high level of awareness and practice this hazard detection.
It is really more concerned with adopting the right attitude and strategy that will provide the lowest probability of encountering a hazard and having an accident.