Safety Measures that Could Keep Motorcyclists Safer on Oklahoma Roads

There are a lot of benefits to riding a motorcycle. They are, for instance, a lot more fuel efficient than most passenger vehicles and are also much easier to park. The biggest downside to riding a motorcycle is that doing so can be dangerous. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are four times more likely to be injured than the occupants of passenger vehicles and eight times more likely than the occupants of light trucks. Fortunately, recent technological advances have made motorcycles safer than ever to ride.

Lean-Sensitive Systems 

Although many motorcycle accidents involve other vehicles, a surprising number are single-rider crashes. This means that riders are thrown from their motorcycles without actually making contact with another vehicle, whether due to rider error or some defect on the road. To lower the chances of being involved in such a crash, many manufacturers are equipping their newer models with six-axis Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), which enable:

• Lean-sensitive traction control;
• Slide control;
• Front-wheel lift control; and
• Brake control.

These systems provide motorcycles with more control and stability, especially in slippery conditions or when a rider is forced to make a sudden evasive maneuver.

Adaptive Headlights 

Adaptive headlights, which adjust the direction of a beam based on motorcycle lean angle, have also gone a long way towards improving visibility, especially around corners or for those riding at night. Such enhanced visibility not only makes it easier for motorcyclists to see where they are going, but also makes it a lot less difficult for other drivers to see motorcycles, which are already much smaller than the average passenger car.

Emergency Stop Signals 

Many new motorcycles are being equipped with a safety feature specifically designed to lower the risk of rear-end collisions, known as the Emergency Stop Signal (ESS). This system detects rapid deceleration, as when someone suddenly hits the brakes, and automatically activates the motorcycle’s hazard lights. In this way, drivers immediately behind the motorcycle will be given immediate visual warning, faster than if they had to wait for a signal from standard brake lights.

Riding Modes 

Finally, many new models of motorcycle come with a variety of riding modes, each of which suit a different riding preference or condition. Modes can include preferences like Sport, Rain, or Street, all of which come with adjusted settings for traction control and power delivery. These systems can allow riders to match weather and road conditions and so significantly decrease their chances of being involved in an accident.

Were You Hurt in a Motorcycle Accident? 

Even riders who use the utmost care in choosing a motorcycle with new safety features and who drive carefully still often end up injured in accidents through no fault of their own. Unfortunately, these injuries are almost always severe and are sometimes catastrophic. At Levinson Law our dedicated Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyers have the resources and experience to help these accident victims seek compensation for their losses. Call us at 918-492-4433 to learn more.

Sources: 

crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813306

ntsb.gov/Advocacy/safety-topics/Pages/Motorcyclist-Safety.aspx