What Are 3 Safety Precautions Motorcyclists Can Take to Avoid Fatal Accidents?

Motorcyclists are exposed to significant dangers when they are operating on the roadway around other vehicles. The reality is that a motorcyclist does not have much protection for the force of a vehicle and the subsequent impacts. Safety is of the utmost importance for all motorcyclists in Illinois. Here, we want to list the top three safety precautions that all motorcyclists should take to avoid fatal accidents on the roadways.

What Are 3 Safety Precautions Motorcyclists Can Take to Avoid Fatal Accidents?

1. Take it Slower

Regardless of what type of vehicle you were in, the faster you go, the less time you have to react to other vehicles, debris, or other potential hazards.

Speeding is a leading cause of all vehicle accidents across the state of Illinois each year. However, speeding will inevitably make any motorcycle accident that occurs much worse than it would otherwise have been. High speeds not only reduce a motorcyclist’s ability to react to any potential hazards; it also increases the chance that a catastrophic injury will occur. Motorcyclists do not have much protection from the force of a vehicle slamming into them, and faster speeds are going to increase the devastation of an impact with another vehicle and with the ground.

2. Never Drink and Ride

Alcohol- and drug-impaired driving is a leading cause of traffic fatalities in Illinois annually. Motorcyclists simply have more to keep up with than those inside traditional passenger vehicles. This means that operating a motorcycle while impaired is perhaps the most dangerous thing a person can do on the roadway. Alcohol slows a person’s reaction time and impairs their judgment. Motorcyclists impaired by alcohol or drugs will simply have a harder time keeping the bike upright because they will lose their ability to balance and coordinate appropriately.

3. Learn to Drive

This heading may sound a little insulting, but it is not meant to be. The reality is that there is a big difference between learning to drive a motorcycle and learning to drive a traditional passenger car. The two are not the same. It is highly recommended that any new motorcyclist take state-approved safety courses to learn how to appropriately maneuver a motorcycle. 

Motorcyclists have to learn how to deal with common hazards, including wet pavement, potholes, and various types of other roadway debris. Learning how to appropriately react to changing conditions on the roadway is one of the most important safety measures for motorcyclist safety.

The Frequency of Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois

When we turn to data provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation, we can see that there were nearly 2,100 total motorcyclists injured as a result of vehicle collisions during the latest reporting year across the state. Unfortunately, 138 motorcyclists lost their lives as a result of traffic collisions that same year. When we examine the data further, we can see that injuries and fatalities for motorcyclists are much more likely to occur in urban areas of the state as opposed to rural areas.

If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver, reach out to a skilled attorney as soon as possible. An Illinois motorcycle accident lawyer will work to investigate the incident, determine liability, and help recover maximum compensation for their client.