Where Do 70% of Motorcycle Accidents Occur?

Motorcycles are pretty fun and thrilling to ride compared to other modes of transport. There is nothing more enjoyable than to experience a sense of adventure, speed, and freedom while hitting the road on a motorbike. However, there is always a risk attached to motorcycling. The more fun motorbiking is, the more riskier it can get.

Motorcycle accidents are always on the rise. It is crucial to study more about motorbike crashes, stats, and other facts related to them to know what causes the most bike accidents and where most motorcycle accidents occur.

It is best to know in detail about where most motorbike crashes happen to make riding safer. So, the question arises: where do 70% of motorcycle accidents occur in the US? Let’s find out in this article.

Read on to learn about the primary causes of motorbike crashes, the best lane position for a bike, and when most bike crashes occur.

According to most studies and motorbike accident stats, nearly 70 percent of motorcycle accidents occur at intersections. Intersections are the most common places for motorbike accidents as they involve many vehicles crossing paths, taking turns, and stopping.

Let’s get into some more detail about why intersections are viewed as the most dangerous zones for bikes:

Intersections are among the busiest areas where the traffic flow usually distracts. Many vehicles either come to a stop, cross paths with each other, or take turns at intersections. Due to the increased interaction between vehicles, it is likely for a vehicle to not spot a motorcycle and fail to react at the right time, causing a bike accident.

Motorcycles are smaller compared to cars and other vehicles. It becomes hard to notice them, particularly at intersections. Drivers may completely fail to see or judge them, resulting in a crash. Due to being less visible, motorbikes are more prone to get into the blind spot of cars and other vehicles.

The most common causes of 70% of motorbike accidents at intersections are unsafe lane changes and left turns. It is most possibly due to inattention and distracted while changing lanes and taking turns at intersections. It is also noticed that while making unsafe lane changes and turns, vehicles are recorded to be driving at high speeds, making accidents life-threatening for motorcyclists.

Intersections are inherently riskier for bikers. The major reason behind this is the greater number of interactions between different vehicles. On the other hand, there are many other factors that also play a huge role in making bikers unsafe while riding at intersections. These include driving while drunk, distracted driving, driver’s negligence, and speeding above the limit.

Studies also suggest that bike crashes occur mostly in urban areas as compared to rural areas due to:

• A greater number of intersections

• Higher volume of traffic on roads

• Overspeeding.

Better infrastructure in urban areas means more complex road networks and intersections. Also, people tend to travel more in urban areas, so the roads and intersections are always busy. These factors result in more bike accidents in urban areas than in rural areas.

Night time or when it is dark can be thought of as a good reason why most bike accidents occur. Motorbikes, being less visible, become difficult to identify during the night time, especially if lighting is not enough.

In contrast to that, motorbike accidents are reported to happen the most during busy or rush hours, especially in the daytime. Between 3 pm to 6 pm, riders and drivers are usually in a hurry. This is the time when the traffic on roads is busy. Even a small distraction can result in a deadly bike crash during these rush or busy hours.

To avoid bike accidents during both rush hours and nighttime:

• Make sure to wear reflective riding gear.

• Ride slow and defensively.

• Make sure the motorbike lights are working fine.

• Stay alert.

The lane position is a crucial safety aspect while riding a bike on roads, highways, and intersections. For motorbikes, the left-most lane is viewed to be the bike lane and is the safest for bike riders. There are many reasons why it is viewed to be the safest, including:

The leftmost lane is viewed to be best for slow-moving traffic. It is best for motorbikes and lightweight vehicles. Riding a motorbike in the right-most lane, which is ideally built for fast-moving traffic, especially cars, is viewed to be dangerous.

Compared to other lanes on the road, a bike rider is more visible on the leftmost lane of the road. It makes bikers more secure, making them more notable for the riders or drivers approaching them from the back or coming from the front.

The leftmost lane is best for bikes because it offers more escape routes and flexibility in case the riders face potential hazards.

When you ride your motorbike in the leftmost lane, your interaction with large and high-speed vehicles is reduced a great deal. As a result, you are safer compared to riding in the right or faster lanes.

Motorcycling can be thrilling and a bit risky at the same time. However, threats or risks involved in bike riding can be greatly reduced by following the tips below:

• Wear Protective Riding Gear at All Times While Riding.

• Wear a DOT-approved bike helmet, leather jacket, pants, motorcycle boots, and gloves while riding.

• Ride slow and defensively.

• Stay alert at all times while riding.

• Identify the threats on the road while riding and try to avoid them as much as possible.

• Do not engage yourself in rash riding.

• Pick a motorbike that suits your skill level and size.

There are many reasons why motorcycle crashes occur. However, according to many studies and statistics, the primary causes of motorcycle crashes include:

• Overspeeding

• Riding while drunk

• Unsafe lane splitting

Most accidents involving motorbike riders occur due to drivers not being able to see bikers. Motorbikes are small compared to cars, and when you are at high speeds, it can become difficult to judge bikers, especially at intersections. It is, therefore, advised to ride slow and defensively. Also, make sure to improve the visibility of your bike to become more notable, especially while riding during the nighttime. You can also wear bright color helmets and neon vests to improve your visibility.

According to many reports and stats, Florida is usually ranked as the most dangerous state for bike riders due to its highest rate of motorbike accidents. It has high traffic, a great number of motorbike riders on the road, and warm weather, which contribute a lot to bike accidents.

Maine, US, is often considered to be among the safest state for bikers. There are many good reasons why it is considered a safe haven for bikers, including responsive riders and biker-friendly laws.

You will be surprised to learn that most motorcycle deaths do not occur at high speeds. The majority of motorbike fatalities usually occur at or below 30 mph.

According to most reviewers and experts, the top 3 causes of motorbike accidents are:

• Over-speeding or riding above the speed limit.

• Riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• Drivers fail to see riders on the road while driving.