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Among road accidents, those involving motorcycles are the most common. A motorcycle accident can result in instant death for the rider as well as the pillion rider of the bike. It can also lead to permanent disability and disfigurement. Even in best cases, a motorcycle accident victim has to spend a lot of time and money at the hospital while recuperating from the injuries. Although insurance covers financial losses due to accidents, it is best to try and avoid such accidents altogether.
Here are a few tips to prevent motorcycle accidents:
Wear complete safety gear
Safety gear for riding a motorcycle includes helmet, riding gloves, and a riding jacket. These safety gears should be standard ISI marked. Any cheap and fake substitutes will be unable to protect the rider in case of an accident.
Additionally, they enhance the rider's visibility. Safety gears are bright-colored and make bikers easily visible to other motorists and avoid accidents. Weather conditions like rain and fog reduce road visibility, making safety gears all the more important for the rider.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Avoid driving as a part of a gangHere are some of the common mistakes made by riders that can become a cause for accidents:
- Negotiating wide curves at breakneck speeds
- Riding too fast at intersections and junctions
- Riding dangerously as a part of a group or gang
- Reckless overtaking, especially from the wrong side of the road
Avoid Drunk Riding
Driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics is a punishable offence. It is a crime, with penalties from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 10,000 and imprisonment from 6 months to 4 years, depending upon the alcohol levels present in the rider's blood. It puts the life of the rider as well as the lives of everyone else on the road at a potential risk. While under the influence of alcohol, the mind is not completely alert and can lead to rash, unsafe riding resulting in accidents.
If you know you're going to be drinking, leave your motorcycle and/or car at home and take a taxi to your destination. In the interest of your own safety, never ride while drunk.
Control Your Mind, Control Your Ride
Ride with a calm mind to avoid an accident. Emotionally unstable states like anger, depression, sadness, etc. can increase the risk of an accident significantly.
Ride at speeds that give you complete control of your vehicle. Follow traffic rules diligently but be prepared to dodge a rash oncoming vehicle too.
Service Your Bike
Check all your bike parts regularly to avoid future problemsGet your bike serviced regularly to prevent potential problems. Get all parts like brake pads, brake fluid, headlights, and clutch checked regularly. Sometimes, bikers might lose control due to a flat tire. Keep your bike tires adequately inflated to avoid this risk. A casual inspection before driving goes a long way in avoiding potential accidents.
If everyone on the road follows these simple tips sincerely, we can make road accidents a thing of the past. So zoom away on your favorite mean machine, but do remember - prevention is always better than cure.
