Riding a motorcycle at night can be a great, even thrilling experience. There is less traffic and the temperature is far more favorable in the summer. At the same time, night riding has the potential to be extremely dangerous. It is imperative that all riders practice safe habits. Here, our Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys provide five night riding safety tips for motorcyclists in Georgia
Know the Risk: Night-Riding Increases the Risk of a Crash
The odds of being involved in a motorcycle accident increases at night. According to comprehensive data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 37 percent of motorcycle accident injuries happen at night. This despite the fact that a far lower percentage of total motorcycle riding happens after sunset/before sunrise. Riders need to be careful. The risk is higher.
Five Night Riding Safety Tips for Motorcyclists
Tip #1: Prepare Your Motorcycle (Lights, Reflectors, etc)
Safe night riding starts during the day time. Before setting off, ensure your motorcycle is well-equipped for night riding. You should start with the basics: check that all lights—headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, etc—are functioning correctly and are clean. Be sure to adjust your headlights to ensure they illuminate the road effectively. Motorcyclists in Georgia may also want to consider adding reflective tape or decals to their bike and gear.
Tip #2: Understand the Risks and Your Limitations
Night riding demands heightened awareness. Darkness not only diminishes your visibility, but also affects your depth perception, color recognition, and even peripheral vision. Be aware of these limitations and adjust your riding accordingly. You should also be aware of the increased risks of encountering impaired or fatigued drivers during late hours. If you feel tired or if the road conditions are poor, it may be best to stay home and ride another time.
Tip #3: Avoid Looking Directly Into Oncoming Headlights
When riding at night, the glare of oncoming headlights can temporarily blind you. Indeed, some modern highlights can be truly overwhelming—especially so if another driver leaves their high-beas one. To avoid this, do not stare directly into the lights of approaching vehicles. Instead, use the right side of the road as your visual guide. It is a technique that helps maintain your line of sight.
Tip #4: Go Above and Beyond to Make Yourself Visible
Visibility is key to safety during night rides. Too many motorcycle accidents happen simply because drivers fail to recognize riders. It is an ever bigger problem at night. Wear brightly colored or reflective clothing to make yourself more visible to other road users. Equip your helmet with reflective materials as well. Consider using auxiliary lights that can be attached to your motorcycle to enhance your visibility without impairing the vision of other drivers.
Tip #5: Reduce Your Speed and Always Maintain a Safe Riding Distance
Finally, it is crucial that you practice safe, defensive motorcycle riding at night. Lower visibility is a major safety concern. To start, you should reduce your speed. Further, you always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, giving yourself ample time to react to sudden stops or obstacles. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry when riding during reduced visibility. Extra precautions during night-time riding can make a big difference.
Why Rely On Lawbike Motorcycle Injury Lawyers for a Night Crash
Lawbike Motorcycle Injury Lawyers is a boutique firm devoted entirely to representing victims and families in motorcycle accident cases. We have the experience that you can trust—including after a night-time crash. We encourage you to review our testimonials, case results, and to reach out to us with specific questions. There are no upfront costs or hourly bills for our services. If you do not get paid, we do not get paid. Not only are our attorneys motorcyclists themselves, but our 25 percent contingency fee is significantly below the industry average. We put money back in your pocket.
Hurt in a Night Motorcycle Crash in Georgia? Contact Us Today for a Free Case Review
At Lawbike Motorcycle Injury Lawyers, our Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer is focused on helping victims and families get justice. Were you or your loved one hurt in a night-time crash? We are standing by, ready to start working on your case. Get in touch with us by phone at 1-866-529-2453 or contact us directly online for a free, no obligation case review. With an office in Atlanta, we represent motorcycle accident victims throughout all of Georgia.