Warmer weather generally means more motorcycles on the road — which also means drivers need to be even more diligent when behind the wheel. In 2017, 5,172 motorcyclists were killed according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Motorcyclists are more vulnerable to injury or death in an accident. They have an 80 percent chance, compared to a 20 percent chance of injury or death in a passenger vehicle, according to the NHTSA.
It's time to raise awareness of how driving behavior, such as inattention or distracted driving, can impact the lives of motorcyclists. For example, a recent NHTSA study discovered that 78 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes were caused by one of four inattention categories:
- Secondary task engagement (cellphone conversations, vehicle- and passenger-related tasks, etc.)
- Fatigue
- Driving-related inattention to the road (looking out the left window, rearview mirror, etc.)
- Non-specific eye glance (driver glancing around randomly, lost in thought, etc.)
Unsurprisingly, secondary task distractions were the most frequent causes of inattention in the study.
Keeping motorcyclists and your business fleet safe
To prevent traffic accidents and danger to drivers and motorcyclists, your company’s drivers should be aware and attentive when behind the wheel. Here are a few additional ways drivers can maintain safety on the road:
- Always use turn signals when changing lanes or turning
- Keep your distance when there’s a motorcycle ahead of you
- Vigilantly use mirrors and check blind spots before changing lanes
- Treat a motorcycle as if it’s a car and give them the entire lane
Be sure your company’s drivers are aware of the above tips and understand your commitment to preventing distracted driving in the workplace. Speak with your agency or Amerisure risk management consultant to learn about fleet safety training from Amerisure.
