Toronto Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Discusses Safety Tips To Avoid Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle riders have a lot of responsibility for their own safety while operating their motorcycles on Ontario roads and highways. It is equally important that other motorists, car and truck drivers, also take responsibility to ensure that they are sharing the road with motorcycles. Many, if not most, motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle are caused by other motorists, and not by motorcycle riders.
There are many more cars and trucks than motorcycles on Ontario roads. Unfortunately, many drivers simply do not see or recognize the presence of motorcycles around them. This can result in serious accidents, particularly when a car or truck turns across the path of a motorcycle that they did not see or recognize. Car and truck drivers often report that they did not see the motorcycle before they commenced their turn. It is important to look carefully for motorcycles, especially when checking for traffic at an intersection or before making a turn.
Similarly, our ability to perceive distance and speed depends a lot on the size of the object. When driving, we are used to seeing larger vehicles and, as such, we have become accustomed to judging distance based on the size of the approaching object. There is a good chance that we will mistake the distance and speed of an approaching motorcycle simply because of the small size of a motorcycle. A motorcycle will often appear to be farther away than it actually is. When preparing to turn at an intersection or when pulling out of a driveway, assume that the motorcycle is closer than it appears. This also explains why car and truck drivers assume that a motorcycle must have been speeding when an accident occurs. It is often because the driver's perception was that the motorcycle was much farther away than it actually was.
When following motorcycles, it is also important to leave more distance between your car and the motorcycle than you might otherwise when following a car or truck. Many motorcycle riders slow their bikes by downshifting through the gears or by releasing the throttle, which will not illuminate the brake light. Assume motorcycles are stopping at intersections, and prepare to stop behind them, even if the brake light do not light up.
These are only a few tips to keep in mind to keep our roads safe for all drivers and riders. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash in Ontario, call the Ontario Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at 1-866-234-6093 for a free consultation.
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There are many more cars and trucks than motorcycles on Ontario roads. Unfortunately, many drivers simply do not see or recognize the presence of motorcycles around them. This can result in serious accidents, particularly when a car or truck turns across the path of a motorcycle that they did not see or recognize. Car and truck drivers often report that they did not see the motorcycle before they commenced their turn. It is important to look carefully for motorcycles, especially when checking for traffic at an intersection or before making a turn.
Similarly, our ability to perceive distance and speed depends a lot on the size of the object. When driving, we are used to seeing larger vehicles and, as such, we have become accustomed to judging distance based on the size of the approaching object. There is a good chance that we will mistake the distance and speed of an approaching motorcycle simply because of the small size of a motorcycle. A motorcycle will often appear to be farther away than it actually is. When preparing to turn at an intersection or when pulling out of a driveway, assume that the motorcycle is closer than it appears. This also explains why car and truck drivers assume that a motorcycle must have been speeding when an accident occurs. It is often because the driver's perception was that the motorcycle was much farther away than it actually was.
When following motorcycles, it is also important to leave more distance between your car and the motorcycle than you might otherwise when following a car or truck. Many motorcycle riders slow their bikes by downshifting through the gears or by releasing the throttle, which will not illuminate the brake light. Assume motorcycles are stopping at intersections, and prepare to stop behind them, even if the brake light do not light up.
These are only a few tips to keep in mind to keep our roads safe for all drivers and riders. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash in Ontario, call the Ontario Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at 1-866-234-6093 for a free consultation.
Connect with Andrew Iacobelli on Google+
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