Main causes of motorbike accidents
Motorbike riders who are also car drivers soon learn that their road awareness needs to be taken up a level once they start riding a motorbike. Because they are basically using a much smaller vehicle this means they have to be acutely aware of their road positioning, and their ability to anticipate the actions of other road users.
About 1 in 5 of all motorbike accidents occur during the process of overtaking. These often involve the rider weaving in and out of slow moving traffic. The motorbike overtakes a vehicle, and the driver does not see them either because they did not check both their mirrors and their 'blind spot' correctly or because the bike is moving too quickly.
Another main cause of motorbike accidents is where a car driver turns across the path of a bike because they have failed to see them coming. Although this is usually the car drivers fault, riders should always be wary near side roads or junctions, slow down and be prepared to stop quickly in an emergency. If you approach these places at speed, the car driver may not see you coming in time.
Roundabouts also pose a similar problem, particularly if the roundabout is busy. If you are following closely behind a large van or truck, your bike may be obscured from view and the car driver will assume that it is ok to pull out quickly. More than 1 in 5 of all motorcycle accidents are of this type, even though the motorcyclist had right of way.
Bends in the road should always be taken with extreme care, even if you think you are 'familiar' with them. There is often the temptation to take them at speed, especially if you are following other riders. Many accidents occur this way because it only takes a slight loss of control to drift into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
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