The Personal Blog Of
Boston Motorcycle Lawyer

The Greatest Hazard to Motorcyclists Is Other Traffic at Intersections
July 23, 2009

Motorcyclists face many potential hazards on the street, but no hazard poses a greater danger than other traffic. In 1981, an investigation of motorcycle accidents (commonly known today as the Hurt Study) found that three-fourths of motorcycle crashes involved a collision with another vehicle.

Let’s face it. In a crash, there is no contest between a motorcycle and other vehicles such as cars, buses, and trucks. The motorcycle will always be on the losing end.

In a 1999 interview, the author of the study believed his findings were still relevant. He might say the same thing in 2009.

A Crash Is Most Likely to Occur at Intersections

According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, which develops rider education and training courses, the greatest potential for a crash with other traffic occurs at intersections.

The intersection may be a road or a side street, but it can also be an alley, a driveway, or a parking lot–or a combination of these. In short, a motorcycle hazard can develop in any situation where other traffic can cross your path of travel.

Intersections where traffic, buildings, hedges, parked vehicles, or other items limit or block your visibility or the visibility of other traffic are potentially even more hazardous for bikers.

Bicyclists and pedestrians can also be hazards when riding or stepping into your path.

Some Tips for Dealing With Intersections

Your best defense at intersections is to remain alert and to watch the traffic all around you.

The MSF suggests that you follow four steps:

• “Check for traffic behind”
• “Check oncoming traffic”
• “Check traffic to the right”
• “Check traffic to the left”

This is true whether you are approaching and moving through an intersection, waiting for a chance to turn, or stopped at a red light.

At intersections, always strive to have an escape plan should a hazard develop. When stopped, remain in first gear so you can react immediately, if need be. When pulling out after a light change, wait a few seconds to make sure cross traffic has stopped.

Remaining in first gear once saved a friend of mine. While waiting behind a long line of traffic in the left-hand lane, an accident between two cars in the right-hand lane occurred at an intersection behind him. The impact sent one car spinning out of control into the left-hand lane. He had to pull forward quickly to avoid being clipped. He wouldn’t have cleared the car’s path in time if he hadn’t been alert and in first gear.