The Rise of Motorcycle Accidents: Who or What is to Blame?
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by: margaret
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Last night, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation announced its desire to begin an accident causation study in order to gather hard facts regarding the rise in occurence of motorcycle accidents during the last decade. What does cause the most motorcycle accidents? Hopefully, with greater understanding of this growing and often fatal problem, drivers of both motorcycles and automobiles can alleviate some of the tragic stories that result from motorcycle accidents. But who, or what is to blame for the rise in these tragedies?
Blame the oil companies! Is the rise in motorcycle accidents merely a factor of more drivers operating motorcycles? Due to their stong fuel economy, many drivers are turning to motorcycles to save money, especially during the warmer months. While increased gas prices may be contributing to additional accidents, it does not account for a decade of increased accidents. Furthermore, sole assignment of this cause would mean that motorcycles inherently attract accidents, as the only reason there are more is that there are more motorcyclists.
Blame the auto drivers! Even with music turned down low, and windows open, sometimes hearing a motorcyclist nearby while driving (especially on the highway, which is loud to begin with) can be difficult, and many automobile drivers do not notice motorcyclists until they are about to collide with them. However, drivers are responsible for more than just hearing what is around them...cars are bulit with rear-view mirrors for a reason. Are drivers applying less caution and vigilance, required to notice smaller vehicles such as motorcycles?
Blame the bikers! Nearly every automobile driver who has been driving for more than a year has a story to tell about a motorcyclist (usually biking with no helmet, wearing only a teeshirt and shorts, and flip flops) bikling up the dashed lines on the highway, weaving between cars without a care. While there are hazardous drivers driving all sorts of vehicles, perhaps hazard is more noticeable because a motorcycle crash is so much more dangerous, and often deadly. However, for every story of reckless bikers, there should be ten stories of careful motorcyclists, the same as auto drivers. The argument of "speed biking" and reckless behavior is not enough to account for the rise in accidents.
Blame the distractions! Many states are now enacting anti-distraction laws. Perhaps drivers of all vehicles are not paying enough attention to the road around them because they're on the phone, checking their email, reading the newspaper, eating breakkfast, or reading billboards (some states, such as Connecticut, are in discussion about the removal of billboards for this reason). Perhaps there is simply too much stimuli. Drivers need to learn to ignore unnecessary factors and focus on the road and those they share it with.
Blame the increase in speed! Many states, in the last decade, have increased speed limits on highways. Even a shift from fifty-five miles per our to sixty-five miles per hour can mean the difference between injury and death as a result of an accident. Even worse is the growing mentality that seems ever present on today's highways--that the speed limit is merely a starting point and should be grossly exceeded. It is likely that excessive speed as well as other careless driving methods, from drivers of all types of vehicles, is the cause for the rise in motorcycle accidents.
Whatever the Causation Study reveals, it's important to examine all of the factors closely in order to provide a safer environment for bikers, truck drivers and automobile drivers. People, especially new drivers, often forget the responsibility of moving heavy items at a fast rate. People often forget the most basic law of physics that applies to the road: An object in motion stays in motion, unless it is stopped by an opposing force. Whatever or whoever is to "blame" for the increase in motorcycle accidents, it is the responsibility of anyone who holds any kind of license to do all they can to ensure the safety of those not only within or on their own vehicle, but those with whom they share the road.
About the Author
Margaret is a writer for ERUNIX, Inc.
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