How to avoid common crash scenarios

The 5 most common are:

• failure to negotiate left hand bend on a country road
• failure to negotiate right hand bend on a country road
• collision at junctions
• collision while overtaking
• loss of control

Bends on Country Roads

Country roads are different to urban roads so you need to apply your skills, knowledge and ability in a different way. Some bends on country roads are smooth and even, opening up once you are into them. Others tighten up dramatically. If you have gone into a bend at too high a speed you will find yourself with a major problem.

If the road gives you clues on how it bends then use them. You may see:

• the line of trees
• the path of telegraph poles
• hedges at the side of the road copying the path of the road.

Take care and remember to have something in reserve in case things are not as they appear.

• If in any doubt, lose more speed before the bend so you have greater room for manoeuvring.
• Ensure your speed is appropriate to negotiate bend without losing control, taking account of road surface condition.
• Anticipate hazards which may be concealed by the bend and be able to stop in time to avoid them.

Collisions at Junctions

These can be down to a driver failing to give way or stop. The most common accident type was another vehicle crossing the motorcyclist's path to enter or leave a side road or private drive.

At roundabouts, the most common accident type was another vehicle entering the roundabout in the path of a motorcyclist already on the roundabout.

Many of them happen at T-junctions but can happen at other junctions. They may not spot your bike in the traffic even though you think you are easy to see. There is research showing that drivers have difficulty judging the speed of a bike and underestimate the bike’s time of arrival.

• Plan ahead on approaching junctions
• Be aware of vehicles waiting to enter the main road, or approaching it along a side road, and be prepared to stop and take evasive action.
• In urban areas look out for vehicles emerging from driveways.
• Anticipate the presence of drives/side roads concealed from view by bends, vegetation, or vehicles ahead.
• Ensure that you are visible as possible to other drivers.
• As narrow vehicles, motorcyclists can easily be overlooked, and can be completely hidden from view by intervening lamp columns, telegraph poles etc. along the other drives line of sight.
• Choose appropriate speeds on approaches to junction. A driver emerging from a side road, cannot give way to a motorcyclist who cannot yet be seen, but which appears at high speed before the manoeuvre is completed. This is particularly applicable to slow moving goods vehicles or farm vehicles.

Whoever is at fault – you will always come of worse – therefore stay cautious.

Collisions while Overtaking

About 1 in 5 of motorcyclist accidents involve overtaking. Many involve motorcyclists passing stationary or slow moving vehicles e.g. in traffic queues, where the most common accident type was another vehicle turning right (either into or out of a side road or private drive) or U turning, across the motorcyclists path.

Overtaking not only requires the skill to judge speed and distance, but a good knowledge of your bike’s acceleration. Don’t overtake when approaching:

• bends
• junctions
• lay-bys
• pedestrian crossings
• hills or dips in the road
• where there are double white lines or other signs prohibiting overtaking.

You have no idea how a driver or rider will react when they see you overtaking them.

You can’t assume they will slow down to let you in. They may even speed up.

• If you are filtering past stationary or slow moving traffic, do it with care. Closely packed vehicles reduce your visibility, manoeuvrability and reaction time to a minimum. A lot of drivers will not know that you are there and may move across in front of you or open a door.
• If you are riding with others, plan for yourself. Snap overtaking decisions are dangerous.
• Be as visible as possible to other drivers.
• Anticipate that other drivers may not have seen you and be prepared for their actions.
• Do not overtake near side roads or where cars may emerge from private drives/accesses; or do so with caution.
• Be aware of oncoming vehicles which may turn right across your path.

Loss of Control

The two main reasons for loss of control collisions are shunts and road surface conditions.

Shunts

These are usually down to riding too close to the vehicle in front, or the vehicle behind you being too close. To protect yourself:

• leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front
• be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear
• if the vehicle behind is too close give yourself more room in front.

Road Surface Conditions

Part of the challenge of using a motorbike is adjusting our riding to deal with different road conditions. Some examples that can lead to loss of control of the bike are:

• poor weather conditions
• diesel spills
• mud
• manhole covers
• painted road markings.

Look out for these and for road signs warning you of hazards ahead. Even new road surfaces can be slippery in certain conditions. There may be other clues to the presence of some hazards. For example, where there are lorries there may be diesel spills, where there are building sites, or farm and field entrances there may be mud.

Make sure your tyres are in good condition and at the correct pressure; your life is dependent on two small patches of rubber. Allow yourself the time and space to see what is ahead of you and take avoiding action. The safest response will depend on the circumstances around the hazard such as road conditions, weather, the limitations of your bike, and your skill as a rider.