KRATZMC

If you want to predict the location of the next motorcycle collision, then the odds on favorite place would be an intersection. If you’re a gambler, you’ll never get these types of odds in Vegas but motorcycling is one activity you shouldn’t gamble on. The “Hurt” and the “M.A.I.D.S.” studies revealed that a majority of motorcycle collisions occur at intersections with vehicles that pull into the motorcycles path. Based on what I’ve seen at hundreds of collisions scenes, this seems to be true.

First, lets get on the same page as far as terminology goes. By Collision, I’m referring to impacts involving a motorcyclist and another vehicle, or another person. Accidents are events which involve a single rider who runs off the road, strikes a fixed object, or falls over in a gas station lot. Accidents are always preventable and usually involve rider or “pilot error”, poor skills and lack of good judgment. Accidents can be addressed through practice, experience and training. Collisions on the other hand involve a factor you cannot control and that is the behavior and actions of another human being.

After listening to the statements of the riders as to the events leading up to their impacts, I have come to the conclusion that a majority of these collisions were preventable. I hear it in their statements, such as; “As I approached the intersection, I looked at the driver and she was looking the other way”, or “The driver never made eye contact with me!”. These are just some of the statements but they have a reoccurring theme, the rider was given a clue before the “Poo Poo hit the oscillating air circulation device”. I ask myself, well then why didn’t you reduce your speed, hit your horn, etc.? The clues were right there in front of their nose! The cars drivers were inattentive and failed to see the motorcycle, even though it had a headlight on.

Why don’t Drivers see Motorcyclists? Part of this is psychological, as people tend to see only what they perceive to be as a hazard to themselves. People in cars often pull out in front of motorcycles, pedestrians and bicyclists, why?…because size does matter and they pose a lesser perceived threat to the car driver. Again, this is a whole other topic which could be discussed over a nice cool Martini with two olives…hint, hint.

Generally, per capita, motorcyclists enjoy fewer collisions. Why?, back to what I said before, you see and perceive what you think will hurt you. Pretty much everything will hurt a motorcyclist, so we tend to be more attentive. Also, don’t assume that everyone else on the road will obey all the rules, that is a big mistake! Believe me they don’t and some choose not too! So its on your shoulders to pick up the slack and compensate for the shortcomings of others. Need more convincing evidence?…Go stand in a line at the Motor Vehicle Department and take a look at those around you and who gets issued a drivers license. I guarantee you will think its time to drain the gene pool and start over.

So what do we do with this information? Well, think about it is all I ask. We know that most motorcycle collisions occur at intersections, right? Then each time you approach an intersection, anticipate the worst is going to happen and be prepared with a plan, or course of action. For instance, as you approach a busy intersections or an intersection with cross traffic, reduce your speed, pick out an escape route and you can cover your brake lever. Increase and make your visual scans more aggressive, seeking out the individuals behind the wheel and making eye contact with them. If the driver does not appear to be looking your way, or you fail to make eye contact, you must assume they just don’t see you. You need to adjust your riding and prepare for the impending collision.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) has an acronym to deal with riding situations called S.E.E. (Search, Evaluate and Execute). This involves looking for hazards, evaluating them but anticipating hazards and coming up with a strategy to deal with them. Then it’s a matter of putting your plan into play (Execute), to keep you safe. You can call it what ever you want but the principles are all the same. By constantly evaluating your situation, you will increase your awareness and exercise your ability to perceive danger. By recognizing early warning signs, you will develop a course of action, which will help you to reduce your perception and reaction times.

What can you do when you approach an intersection and feel the cross traffic is not aware of your presence? Honk your horn?, rev your engine?, flash a high beam?, or change lane position? You decide based on your abilities. You can give yourself the advantage by positioning yourself as near as possible to the center of the roadway. This gives you the widest field of view as you approach and intersection. Make yourself more visible with driving lights, light colored clothing, helmets, reflective tape, etc. But, equipment can only do so much for you.

All said and done as a Motorcycle Pilot, you must accept the fact that people will not see you and pull unexpectedly into your path, cut you off during a lane change, or whatever. If this upsets you then you should probably stick to vehicles which have more than three wheels. Accept these facts with the knowledge that you will have to work double hard for the shortcomings of others. Inherent are the risks, as long as you know the consequences and can recognize potential situations, plan and train to deal with them, you will reap the benefits of this alternative form of transportation we so love.

Be safe and think ahead. Someone’s out to get you!