When Not To Ride Your Motorcycle

MARSALISI LAW
January 20, 2018
The-Most-Dangerous-Times-to-Ride-Your-Motorcycle

Motorcyclists know the risks they are taking when they are on the road.  One study found that 60% of the time motorists in other vehicles are at fault when they collide with motorcycles.  This is most likely very shocking since people tend to blame motorcyclists for accidents due to reckless driving or weaving in and out of lanes.

As a motorcyclist, you are already taking a risk when you get on your bike and venture out onto the road.  To keep our fellow bikers as safe as possible, we believe it’s important you are informed on the most dangerous times to ride.

What Are The Most Dangerous Days to Ride a Motorcycle?

According to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the most dangerous days to drive your motorcycle are on weekdays.  In 2015, a total of 2,556 motorcyclists were killed on a weekday, and a total of 51,000 were injured. During the weekends 2,415 motorcyclists were killed and 37,000 were injured.

What Are The Most Dangerous Times to Drive a Motorcycle?

The same study concluded that the most dangerous times to drive your motorcycle were on weekdays from 3 to 6 pm.  During this time 606 riders were killed and 14,000 injured. On the weekends, the most dangerous times to go for a ride were from 6 to 9 pm, with a total of 595 motorists killed and 11,000 injured.

Ride Your Motorcycle

What Are The Patterns on Motorcycle Accidents?

After examining the data, it is apparent that the most deaths and the most injuries are occurring during heavily populated days and times.  For instance, from 3 to 6 pm on weekdays, it is rush hour. People are driving home from work, more than likely rushing to get home after a long day. Drivers tend to be impatient and careless.  On weekends, from 6 to 9 pm, the roads are filled with people on their way out or on their way home. Whether they are going to dinner, a family function or a party, the roads are occupied. In a report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2012, 30% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes on weekends were alcohol-impaired, compared to 15% during weekdays.

What You Can Do To Be Safe On Your Motorcycle?

The goal is not to scare you into giving up your passion.  There is nothing like riding on the open road, with the sense total freedom.  It is an inspiring and coveted feeling that everyone searches for. The goal is to inform riders of the precautions they should take to stay safe.

If you do not have to ride your motorcycle during the previously mentioned days and times, don’t.  If you do, be extra alert. Wear your gear, it was invented for a reason – to prevent injuries and death.  Drive defensively and stay out of a driver’s blind spot. You should never assume that a driver can see you.  A good rule of thumb is if you can see the driver’s face in her side-view mirror, they can also see you. Always watch for turning vehicles – the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that out of all the fatal crashes that occurred in 2013, 42% involved a car turning left into a motorcycle’s right of way.

Don’t ever text and ride.  You want to be as aware of your surroundings as possible.  With many accidents happening that aren’t a motorcyclist’s fault, you need to be conscious and mindful of your environment.

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If you have been in a motorcycle accident request a free consultation.  At Marsalisi Law, your case is personal to us.  Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal. Trust us to assist you in your motorcycle case.  Call us today at 727-800-5052.

Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Safety

How dangerous are motorcycles?

While motorcycling offers great pleasure, a motorcyclist takes on risks when they head out on the road. Studies indicate that 60% of the time, those driving cars or other vehicles are at fault when they collide with motorcycles. In order for bikers to stay safe, it’s important to be informed about the most dangerous times to ride.

What’s the safest place to ride a motorcycle?

Research indicates that most deaths and injuries for motorcyclists occur at heavily populated days and times, such as 3-6 p.m. on weekdays during rush hour when drivers tend to be impatient and careless; and on weekends from 6-9 p.m., when roads are filled with people on their way out or on their way home. Finding alternatives days and times is the safest way to travel by motorcycle.

How do I safely ride a motorcycle?

To stay safe as a motorcyclist, it helps to avoid highly populated days and times and to be extra alert while wearing your safety gear to prevent injuries and death. It’s also important to drive defensively and stay out of a driver’s blind spot, to always watch for turning vehicles and to be conscious and mindful of your environment.

What are the safest times to ride a motorcycle?

If you don’t need to ride your motorcycle during the busiest days and times, don’t. But if you do, be extra alert, and wear your protective gear to prevent injuries and death. Drive defensively and stay out of a driver’s blind spot, and always watch for turning vehicles. Most of all, don’t ever text and ride and remain aware of your surroundings.

Schedule A Free Consultation

Frank P. Marsalisi believes that every person injured in an accident deserves the full attention of a personal injury attorney. With tailored legal services fluent in both English and Spanish, you can feel comfortable discussing your claim in either language. Our team at Marsalisi Law has years of experience protecting St. Petersburg residents and will do everything in our power to provide you with the compensation you deserve.

Our team understands how stressful this time can be and will make the process smooth, so you can focus on your recovery. Schedule a free consultation by calling (727) 334-1344 or filling out our contact form today.