Tunnel Vision
Riders are at a significant disadvantage when out on the roads and highways. Many drivers have tunnel vision which prevents them from seeing motorcycles in the same manner as they would another car. This is the cause of most motorcycle accidents that are not the motorcyclist’s fault. Tunnel vision happens when a vehicle driver looks right at a motorcycle but it doesn’t register, and the driver doesn’t yield to the motorcycle’s right of way. Some of the more common scenarios where tunnel vision is a problem are:- Lane Change: Blind spots can be a problem for motorcyclists, and when changing lanes, a biker has to be aware of where those are.
- Left Turns: When a car turns left in an intersection or even on a roadway, if they don’t see the motorcycle going straight, it can cause a serious accident.
- Right Hook: When a motorcycle is riding in the right-hand lane, a car will move from an outside lane and then turn right leaving the biker with nowhere to go.
- Head-On: A passing car on a two-lane highway or a car veering over the centerline can mean a devastating accident for a motorcyclist.
- Rear-End: A motorist will not stop in time when they had room but just didn’t see the motorcycle right in front of them.
Motorcycle Fatalities
According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a motorcycle rider involved in a crash is 28 times more likely to be killed than the average motor vehicle driver. This is due to the tunnel vision of the driver and the low profile of the motorcycle. In 2016, the NHTSA also reported that 31% of automobile crashes result in injury with .03% of those being fatal. However, with motorcycles, 78% of reported crashes result in injury and 4% of these crashes are fatal. Unfortunately, these statistics mean that tunnel vision along with the vulnerability of a motorcyclist creates dangerous conditions for riders.Types of Motorcycle Injuries
Motorcycles don’t offer the same protection that cars do. When a motorcycle crashes, the rider is ejected from the bike and impacts the pavement, further injuring the rider. These dynamics cause several common motorcycle injuries:- Traumatic brain injury
- Severe concussions
- Broken wrists
- Shattered kneecaps
- Broken facial bones
- Fractured/displaced ribs
- Severe road rash
- Deep bruises
