There is no time of day at which a person is entirely safe from being involved in a motorcycle crash. That said, there are some times of day that the risk is higher. Though you may not be able to avoid riding during these times entirely, being aware of the dangers can help you reduce your risk. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
The most dangerous times of day to ride a motorcycle
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued accident data that shows that most fatal motorcycle accidents occur on weekend nights between 3 PM and midnight. In fact, 42% of fatal motorcycle accidents happen between 3 PM and 9 PM and a person is twice as likely to be involved in an accident during these hours.
That data for non-fatal accidents is similar. The report from the NHTSA showed that about 21,000 motorcycle accidents causing injury happened between 3 PM and 9 PM on weekends, which makes up about 25% of all accidents.
Reasons for the increase in deadly accidents
In order to avoid some of the causes of the increase in fatal accidents during these hours, it is important to know what causes the spike. Experts say that there are numerous factors that are often working in conjunction with one another to make the roads more dangerous for motorcycle riders: Higher traffic overall, rush hour, poor riding conditions, lower visibility, and the higher likelihood that the motorcycle rider or others on the road will be intoxicated behind the wheel.
Consider that there is more traffic on the roads between 3 PM and 6 PM than during other hours of the day, but these are also the hours during which the sun is setting for much of the year, and during which the temperature is dropping. This can cause fog to roll in, can result in rain, and the changing temperature of the asphalt can reduce a motorcycle tire’s ability to grip the road. Together, this is a recipe for disaster.
Be aware of danger and know what to do if the worst happens
In a perfect world, you could prevent driving during these hours at all. Of course, that is not a realistic option for most people. If you are riding during these hours, be aware of what is making the roads more dangerous. For example, be prepared for more traffic. Ensure your tires are in top shape so changing temperatures will not render them unable to grasp the road.
If you are involved in an accident then there is just one step to take: Contact a personal injury attorney. You can reach Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 now for a free legal consultation. We will carefully consider the facts of your case to determine what the best way forward is.
