An accident with a passenger vehicle can be devastating for a motorcyclist. The freedom you feel on a motorcycle becomes overshadowed after a collision. After all, you have far less protection than most vehicles on the road. According to the NHTSA, over 5,000 motorcyclists died in an accident in 2019 alone.
While drivers need to increase their awareness of motorcyclists, there are moves you can take to improve your safety.
Protect your body
Protect yourself as much as you can while on your bike. Your limbs should stay covered at all times in heavy denim or leather. Protective gear helps if a crash occurs but also prevents dehydration. To keep a better grip, wear gloves. You may also consider reflective materials and bright clothing to stand out to other drivers.
Helmets are another essential piece of gear. Make sure you choose a helmet that meets the U.S. Department of Transportation’s standard. A poorly made or bad-fitting helmet can have a higher risk of traumatic brain injury.
Understand your responsibilities
Everyone who shares the road has the same obligations. As part of your agreement to carry a license, you must follow all traffic rules, lane markings, speed limits and signs. When riding, always go with traffic flow and leave enough room between you and the other vehicles. If you make a sudden lane change or brake without warning, another car may have little to no time to stop or adjust before a collision.
Often accidents happen because a driver does not see the motorcyclist. Driving carefully may help you avoid drivers that otherwise may miss you.
