Of course, riding motorcycles is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences. Speed, freedom and ease to move in the middle of the traffic jam, but also the power that is experienced while riding a steel horse. However, How Safe It Is to Ride Motorcycles?
Safety in motorcycles exists, but there are road regulations that specify the allowed and forbidden actions for motorcyclists. And there are safety accessories as:
- Helmets
- Jackets
- Gloves
- Boots
- Pants
- Elbow Pads
- Knee Pads
- Back Protection
All the accessories mentioned before are manufactured with special and resistant materials for those who ride motorcycles, reducing injuries before any accident in highways.
Even so, the WHO (World Health Organization) data informs that during 2023, motorcycles represented a 28% of deaths caused by traffic accidents in the world, even though these only represent the 14% of vehicles that were registered.
Also, the Global Road Safety Facility mentioned that mortality rate by motorcyclists are 20/29 times higher than cars. The zones with highest mortality rates caused by motorcyclists are: South East Asia, Africa and Western Pacific.
Risk Factors for Motorcyclists
The factors that can put motorcyclists’ integrity and life in danger are:
- Speed Excess: An important factor in motorcycle accidents, specially when is combined with a lack of experience.
- Drive under the Alcohol and Drug Influence: Alcohol and Drugs affect the judgment and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents.
- The Absence of Wearing a Helmet: Wearing a helmet reduces significantly the risk of severe head injuries.
- Deficient Road Infrastructure: Highways with a low or no maintenance at all, lack of signage and inadequate lighting increase risk of accidents.
- Absence of Traffic Education and Inadequate Signage: This increase risks for motorcyclists to generate a lack of knowledge of traffic rules, as a lack of awareness about their presence, insecure spaces, traffic violation and absence of road safety education.
In summary, there is information, accessories and education resources to guarantee safety of motorcyclists and develop a harmonious coexistence with car drivers. Unfortunately, not all the motorcycle users have necessary time and dedication to explore the best options to be safe.
In order to guarantee safety in motorcycles is necessary to consider:
- Road and Traffic Education and Training: Is important for drivers of motorcycles receive a correct training and understand the traffic rules.
- Wearing a Helmet is Mandatory: Helmets must have good quality and be adjusted correctly.
- Improve Traffic Infrastructure: Highways must have a correct maintenance with a right signage and lighting.
- Alcohol and Drug Control: You must apply regulations to avoid motorcycle drivers ride under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
