Why Is the Motorcycle Fatality Rate So High?

By Your Health Magazine

If you look at traffic statistics, you’ll likely notice that the fatality rate for motorcycles is disproportionately high, especially when compared to other vehicles. There are some obvious reasons for this and some less obvious reasons in play.

Why exactly is the motorcycle fatality rate so high and what can we do about it?

The Factors in Motorcycle Fatality Rates

These are some of the most significant factors in keeping motorcycle fatality rates high:

Lack of protection. One of the critical downsides of being on a motorcycle is that you aren’t afforded much protection, if any, by the vehicle. When you’re driving in a typical consumer vehicle, you’re surrounded by doors, a strong windshield, a durable roof, and other forms of external protection. You’ll also probably be wearing a seatbelt, and you’ll be protected by airbags. On a motorcycle, you have no such protection, and if you’re involved in an accident, you’ll bear the brunt of the collision directly.
Small size. Motorcycles are also small in stature, meaning they won’t hold up as well in a catastrophic accident. If a motorcycle rider is struck by a truck weighing thousands of pounds and traveling at high speeds, both they and their motorcycle will likely be smashed.
Low visibility. Many motorcycle accidents are attributable to low visibility. Motorcycles are significantly smaller and more agile than their larger vehicle counterparts. At night, they’re even more difficult to see. That’s why it’s important for motorcycle riders to make a concentrated effort to increase their visibility, and preferably in several ways. If a driver doesn’t see you, they won’t be able to react to you.
High speeds and agility. Some people love motorcycles because they’re able to reach excessively high speeds and because they’re much more agile than other types of vehicles. However, high speeds and agility can also be problematic; when traveling at high speeds, you’re much more likely to be involved in an accident, and when you’re maneuvering with agility, there are far more things that can go wrong.
A high skill ceiling. Operating a motorcycle isn’t exactly straightforward. Even learning the fundamentals can take many weeks of practice. Mastering the art of motorcycle riding can take a lifetime. The skill ceiling is high, and even the most skilled motorcyclists are still vulnerable to accidents.
Reckless operation. On top of that, some motorcyclists operate their motorcycles recklessly on purpose. They enjoy the thrills and the adrenaline rush of weaving in and out of traffic or pushing their bike to its limit. If you’re popping wheelies on the highway, you’re inviting an accident to occur.

Staying Safer on a Motorcycle

Fortunately, there are many strategies that can help you stay safer when riding a motorcycle. These are some of the most important ones:

Invest in the right cycle. Spend some time reviewing the motorcycle options available to you and review them very carefully. Some of these bikes are going to be much more favorable to you than others. Certain motorcycles are designed to be safer, and others will be easier for you to ride. Choose the best fit for your current skill level and your level of risk tolerance.
Upgrade (and wear) your protective gear. It may or may not be illegal to ride your motorcycle without a helmet, depending on where you live; even if you’re technically allowed to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, you should always have one on. Additionally, you should have protective gear over the rest of your body. At the very least, you should have denim or leather clothes to protect your body. If you’re thrown from the motorcycle as a result of an accident, you’ll be grateful to have the best protective gear you can afford.
Improve your visibility. Another key strategy to preventing motorcycle accidents is improving your visibility. You need to make sure that all other drivers on the road are aware of your presence and that they can easily avoid you, if it becomes necessary. That means using your headlights, wearing high visibility clothing, and riding near the edges of lanes so people are more likely to see you in their mirrors. It also helps to make some noise, so that even if drivers can’t see you, they’ll be able to hear you – just don’t be obnoxious about it.
Ride safely. Finally, exercise caution and ride safely. Stay within the speed limit. Signal your lane changes and turns. Obey the law. Avoid recklessly exercising your agility and instead focus on getting to your destination safely.While the motorcycle fatality rate is consistently high, it does fluctuate – and it can be reduced. With greater awareness of motorcycle safety and more deliberate focus on riding motorcycles safely, almost everyone on a bike stands to reduce their risk of being involved in an accident.