We must tread cautiously when discussing motorcycle accident statistics because high percentage changes can be in reality a difference of only one or two incidents in a particular geographic area, however if you have paid attention to the news reports recently you will have noticed a marked spike in accident reports.
The amount of safety information available to riders has grown tremendously over recent years, however still there are hot spots and usually in hotter temperatures too.
The fact that many more motorcycles are on the roads is a major contributing factor to there being more crashes at this time of year…it’s purely a numbers game. And whilst it is popular amongst riders to blame other road users for motorcycle involved collisions, the truth is anything so clear.
The truth is that many incident still involve single motorcycles and no other vehicles…even those involving other vehicles, it is certainly not the case that the majority blame is laid at the feet of drivers either.
In recent years, whilst of course drivers still do make mistakes…as do many riders, the standards of driving has improved and the motorcycling awareness amongst many drivers has improved too.
The problem is we read accident reports where a driver wipes out a group or bikers and it is logical to tar all with the same brush, but we know that isn’t the case. In fact most riders also drive other vehicles too, so does mean that when driving, other bikers will regard those biker-drivers with such disdain too?
It’s never so simple to pinpoint the cause of incidents involving motorcycles as they are too widespread, however there is commonality amongst them…and mostly it is the rider themselves.
It is not a suggestion that all riders are to blame, but it is a suggestion that riders must be extra vigilant and cautious too. Better anticipation, greater awareness of hazardous situations and improved riding skills will all certainly help but mostly the act of matching skill, experience, appropriate speed and a greater buffer zone within ones riding habits will be the best and most successful weapon in the rider safety arsenal.
This has nothing to do with speed in isolation, as many safety groups would have you believe…but it is the combination of factors that riders of all experiences should considered each and every time they ride.
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