Is it Safer to Ride a Motorcycle on Streets or the Highway?

It is understandable that riding a motorcycle is generally less safe than driving a car. Motorcycles lack the exterior structure and many of the safety features cars have, like seat belts and airbags, so any collision has a greater chance of being deadly or causing serious injuries. But what are the safest places to ride a motorcycle? What are the risks of operating a motorcycle on the open highway versus city streets?

The answer might surprise you, but there is a good case to be made that highways are safer for motorcycle riding. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 90 percent of all motorcycle fatalities in a recent year occurred on non-interstate roads, and over 50 percent of fatal accidents occurred on arterial roads. Over 60 percent of fatal crashes occur in urban areas as opposed to rural areas. However, rural areas do have a higher death rate per mile traveled.

Risks of Riding Motorcycles on NC Streets

Although city streets have lower speed limits, they have several attributes that can make them more dangerous for motorcyclists, including these examples:

• Intersections – According to NHTSA data, about 30 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes occur at intersections. Intersections can be confusing and busy, especially during rush hour in denser, urban areas.
• Changing traffic patterns – Traffic on city streets is varied and dynamic, and motorists must also be aware of buses, pedestrians, and cyclists.
• Varying speed – Speed on city streets is constantly in flux as traffic changes and you enter new road sections. Constant speed changes and stopped traffic can make crashes like rear-end collisions more likely.
• Road conditions – Highways and interstates are often better maintained than smaller arterial roads, so conditions on city streets might be worse on average.
• Less visibility – City streets are busier and more cluttered, meaning they may have lower visibility than an open stretch of highway or interstate.

Hazards for Motorcyclists on NC Highways

The main hazards for motorcyclists on highways are the high speeds. On one hand, the consistent speeds of highways can make crashes less likely. On the other hand, when crashes happen on highways, the higher speeds are generally more likely to cause severe injuries or death for motorcycle riders.

One positive aspect of highway riding is that oncoming traffic is generally not right in front of the motorcyclist, unlike on smaller city streets. You can move into the right lane to give a wider berth to oncoming traffic.

Other potential risks for highway riding include bad weather and road debris. Inclement weather, like strong winds or heavy rain, can cause riders to lose control while moving at highway speeds. Poorly maintained roads and objects on the pavement can also impact motorcycle safety on highways.

Legal Rights After a Motorcycle Crash

City streets might be more dangerous than highways on average, but motorists in any setting always have a duty to operate their vehicles safely around motorcycle operators. If you have been in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to pursue financial compensation from the at-fault driver. Our personal injury attorneys can investigate your options and help you initiate the claims process.

Talk to Our Experienced North Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today

If you have sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident on any type of road, contact the law firm of Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, today for a free consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney in North Carolina.