Motorcycle Safety from Car Drivers: How to Reduce the Risk of Accidents
Written by
Christine Lacagnina has written thousands of insurance-based articles for TrustedChoice.com by authoring consumable, understandable content.
Reviewed by
Cara Carlone is a licensed P&C agent with 20 years of experience. She has her P&C license in RI and TX and holds CPCU, API, and AINS designations.
Owning and riding a motorcycle is the ultimate expression of freedom on the road. But just when you least expect it, a tragedy can happen. Sadly, motorcyclists are far more likely to be injured or killed in an auto accident than those riding in other vehicles. Despite their best intentions, car drivers often don't see motorcyclists, and accidents ensue.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce your risk of being hit by a car while riding a motorcycle. There's also a great way to protect yourself from the costs of any accidents that happen. With the right motorcycle insurance, you can rest assured that if the worst happens, you'll have some financial help on the road to recovery.
A local independent insurance agent can help you find the right motorcycle insurance for your needs and budget. But first, let's discuss some simple tips to increase your knowledge of motorcycle safety from car drivers.
How to Reduce the Risk of Getting Hurt While Riding on a Motorcycle
There are a few things you can do to increase your motorcycle safety around other cars. Follow these motorcycle safety tips from car drivers to better protect yourself before hitting the road.
1. Dress Appropriately
Wearing brighter colors can help other drivers on the road notice you and reduce your chances of getting hit by a car. Always wear long pants and sleeves made of thick material, such as leather, to help protect your skin in case of an accident or a simple fall from your motorcycle.
2. Make Yourself Visible
Aside from wearing bright colors, you can also add reflective pieces to your bike and outfit. Always use your motorcycle's headlights regardless of the weather or time of day.
Keep yourself positioned in the best place for drivers of other vehicles to notice you while on the road. You can use your horn if you're uncertain whether another driver knows you're there.
3. Always Wear a Helmet
Make sure to never leave home without your helmet. You need a Department of Transportation-approved helmet every time you ride your motorcycle, and it should cover your whole face.
Not only can wearing a helmet help reduce your risk of a head injury by 69%, but it can also increase your visibility to other drivers on the road if you opt for a light color. Also, be sure to replace your helmet at least every five years or immediately following a crash.
4. Stay Alert
Remain alert at all times so you can dodge drivers of other vehicles who may swerve or make unexpected, sudden lane changes. These drivers may be distracted by passengers or poor driving behaviors, like texting or talking on the phone.
Also, survey your surroundings and be able to spot possible hazards aside from other drivers, including potholes, debris, railroad crossings, and more, ahead of time. Motorcycle safety from car drivers also involves being aware of all potential dangers, not just other vehicles.
5. Watch the Weather
When possible, avoid taking your bike out in the rain or strong wind. Poor weather makes the roads much less safe in general and makes it much harder for other drivers to see you. If you must ride in the rain, don't forget to pack the rain gear ahead of time. Use all of the methods available to make yourself more visible.
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6. Never Ride Between Traffic or Parked Cars
Riding between an in-motion car and a parked car automatically creates a blind spot for the driver of the active car and any additional motorists approaching from the side. Drivers may not see you when they change lanes, or if they do, they may have to move further into their lane to accommodate you.
If you want to stay safe, this action should be avoided at all times. Create a better buffer of motorcycle safety from car drivers by always riding in plain sight.
7. Avoid Alcohol and Other Drugs
Drunk driving is one of the most common causes of accidents involving motor vehicles, motorcycles, and pedestrians. It should go without saying that alcohol and other drugs that cause impairment should never be combined with riding your motorcycle.
8. Be Extra Careful at Intersections
A large percentage of traffic accidents occur at intersections. Stay on high alert when approaching and passing through an intersection to help reduce your risk of getting hit by a car while on your motorcycle.
9. Complete a Motorcycle Safety Course
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of getting involved in an accident with a car while riding your motorcycle is to complete a motorcycle safety course offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. These courses can teach you all of the safety information you need to know and also help you pass any road tests you need in your state.
Bonus Tips for Motorcycle Safety from Car Drivers
The list of tips to reduce your risk of getting hit by a car while riding your motorcycle doesn't stop there. That's why we're including a list of some bonus tips to help keep you extra safe on the road and avoid motorcycle accidents.
Keep these pointers in mind before you hit the road:
- When riding with others, avoid having two bikes next to each other in one lane. Proper technique requires that one bike follow the other, staggered on the left and right sides of the lane.
- Approach all intersections with your hands over the brake and clutch levers, prepared for emergency avoidance maneuvers.
- Install headlight modulators, which are devices that flash headlight high beams that can be used to wake up inattentive or negligent drivers.
- Continue to practice emergency avoidance maneuvers at least every month or so. A bit of practice on this vital skill can save your life.
- Engage in lane splitting only when your bike is in danger of overheating, and only if it's legal in the state you're in.
- Be wary when one lane is moving faster than the other. Aggressive drivers are likely to change lanes suddenly.
The more motorcycle safety from car drivers procedures you practice and follow, the greater the likelihood of reducing your risk of getting hit while on your motorcycle.
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Here's How an Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Find the Right Motorcycle Insurance
Once you've got the motorcycle safety practices down, it's time to double-check your motorcycle insurance coverage. An independent insurance agent can help you find a new policy or ensure your current coverage is up to date and includes all the protection you need.
These agents can shop and compare policies from many different carriers for you so you can find the best overall blend of coverage and cost. They can also help file motorcycle insurance claims for you when needed.