Motorcyclists are at high risk on the road because car and other vehicle drivers frequently don’t notice them. This lack of attention can cause serious crashes and even deaths. Why do drivers often overlook motorcycles and their riders?
Motorcycles are much smaller than other vehicles.
Drivers often miss seeing motorcyclists because motorcycles are much smaller than cars, trucks and buses. Motorcycles have a much narrower profile, and other vehicles, road signs or even roadside barriers can easily block them from view. This makes it hard for drivers to see motorcyclists, especially in busy traffic or at high speeds.
Motorcycles are more likely to fall entirely in a driver’s blind spot.
Every vehicle has blind spots where the driver cannot see nearby objects through the mirror. Motorcycles are small enough to fit perfectly into these blind spots, especially for larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks. If a driver does not check over their shoulder before changing lanes or turning, they might completely miss seeing a motorcycle.
Drivers are often distracted.
These days, distractions are everywhere. Texting, talking on the phone, using a GPS, or even changing the radio can distract a driver from focusing on the road. Over 60 percent of people admit to using their phone while driving, and many others say they eat, apply makeup or even take photos while driving. Even a short distraction can prevent a driver from noticing a motorcycle.
Drivers may not be looking for motorcyclists.
Drivers are used to looking for cars and trucks, not motorcycles. This is called “inattentional blindness.” It means that even if a driver is looking right at a motorcycle, they might not see it as a vehicle, especially when driving fast. This cognitive blind spot can lead to dangerous oversights.
Drivers may misjudge the speed of a motorcycle.
Motorcycles can speed up quickly, and drivers in larger vehicles might have trouble judging how fast a motorcycle is moving. If a driver glances quickly and underestimates the motorcycle’s speed at an intersection, they might go ahead and cause a collision.
It is important that motorcyclists get the same safety consideration as those in larger vehicles. Knowing the risks motorcyclists face and taking steps to increase your visibility can help you keep the joy of motorcycle riding safe.