There are many reasons that people ride their motorcycles at night. Some people simply love night riding and the unique sites it brings. Others use their motorcycle to get to and from work and must do so at night. No matter what you do so, or how often you do so, it’s likely that you’ll ride your motorcycle at night at some point.
The good news is that it can be a lot of fun. The bad news is that motorcycle accidents are more common at night, partially because it’s harder for others on the road to see you. Read on to learn some of the simple tips that can keep you safer on your bike at night. If you’ve already been the victim of an accident caused by someone else acting recklessly or negligently, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
Make sure you’re wearing clothing that’s appropriate for a night ride
The biggest obstacle you’ll face when riding your motorcycle at night is poor visibility – and that goes both ways. It’s harder for you to see clearly and it’s also more difficult for other vehicles to see you. The best thing you can do to make sure you’re seen is to wear a reflective safety vest. We also recommend adding thin reflective tape to your bike and / or gear if you ride regularly at night.
The temperatures can also drop very quickly at night – especially in inland parts of California. As a result, make sure you’re wearing a wind-blocking layer and bring glove liners so that you’ll stay safe from dramatic shifts in temperature.
Carefully choose your route
If you’re on a road that regularly has debris then note that this can be harder to see when it’s dark – especially because your bike’s headlamp only illuminates part of the road. If possible, look for a road that has many drivers so that the street is more illuminated and more likely to be picked up. If you’re on a route that is less traveled, try to ride in the tracks of another vehicle. At the very least, consider your route before you take off so that you’ll know where you’re going and when to turn.
Slow down if you need to – and even if you don’t
This should go without saying but we’ll say it anyway: If your visibility is reduced then you should lower your speed. Why? Because less visibility means you have a slower reaction time, and that means that you need to be able to stop faster. We know that driving down the open road at night can be satisfying when you’re getting faster and faster, remember that if you come up on an animal, another vehicle, or even a person crossing the street, you’re not going to have time to get out of their way.
What would be a minor accident for a car can lead to catastrophic injuries for a motorcycle rider. Following the above tips can help you prevent accidents. However, if you are involved in one, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
