Year-round motorcycle operation is an option for most California residents. Unless people spend much of their time in the mountains, they may never encounter snow and other winter weather that makes motorcycle riding particularly dangerous. Precipitation and icy streets are the main reasons that winter riding isn’t a safe option in many places.
However, riding in the colder months can still leave motorcycle operators at increased risk of a serious collision. Without inclement winter weather, what makes off-season riding so dangerous?
Drivers don’t think about motorcycles in the winter
To many people, motorcycles are a summertime vehicle. They are most enjoyable during the warmest part of the year, and many riders store their motorcycles in the fall, winter and early spring. Once temperatures start dropping, drivers may not watch as carefully for motorcycles because they don’t expect to see them on the road.
The failure to intentionally check for motorcycles is one of the leading causes of preventable motorcycle collisions caused by drivers. Inattentional blindness occurs when the brain has too much incoming visual information to focus on every detail. The brain focuses on safety-critical concerns, and the small size of motorcycles makes them easy for people to overlook.
Even visibility gear and loud exhaust systems aren’t enough to draw the attention of motorists. Riders may want to embrace defensive writing techniques, such as pretending to be invisible, to optimize their safety when riding in the off-season.
Regardless of when motorcycle collisions occur, drivers who fail to monitor their surroundings may be responsible for the harm they cause others. Holding unsafe drivers accountable can lead to reasonable compensation for those harmed by preventable motorcycle collisions.
Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed
