Riding a motorcycle involves some risks not encountered when driving cars and trucks. Motorcycles do not have the stability of cars because they must be balanced, and motorcycles leave you more vulnerable in a crash because there is less protection. Motorcycles are not as readily seen as cars, trucks, or other motor vehicles because of their size. Other motorists, particularly those who don’t ride a motorcycle, may not be looking for motorcycles in traffic and do not give the right of way to a motorcyclist. This places the motorcyclist at risk, particularly at intersections.
A good question to ask is “How good am I as a car driver?” Most car drivers rate themselves above average when asked. Since no one is a perfect driver or rider, there is always room for improvement. Striving for excellence is one of the more challenging aspects of being a motorcyclist. No one expects to become a crash statistic. But the reality is that car drivers and motorcycle riders are involved in thousands of crashes each year. In Thailand, motorcyclists account for nearly 85% of fatalities. Many motorcyclists say they are better, more alert than car drivers, because they have learned to be more attentive in traffic. And studies have shown that in Thailand motorcyclists are quite adept at evasive maneuvers in heavy stop and go traffic. Not all risks to a motorcyclist are due to the motorcyclist’s own behavior. While it is possible to reduce much of your own risk, safety in traffic is a responsibility shared by everyone.
Have you ever thought about how much risk you accept? We each live with the results of our decisions, and we have full responsibility for the actions we take in traffic. People take a variety of risks every day, but some take more risks than others. For instance, imagine a “ladder of risk.” Picture a tall ladder reaching to the top of a building. For an experiment, would you climb up on the first rung and jump off to the ground? How about the second rung? Third? Do you know anyone that would climb up to a rung higher than you and jump onto the ground? Some people are higher risk takers than others, but the important point is to think about the risks you are willing to take. Only when you think about the risks of riding in traffic can you manage the variety of factors that happen while riding. Once you become aware of the risks associated with motorcycling, and once you accept that risk, it is time to learn how risks can be managed. Choosing to accept the challenges of being a responsible motorcyclist means to think about the consequences of your riding behavior in traffic. It also means accepting personal responsibility for the results of your decisions and actions, as well as developing good skills and judgment.
Knowledge of what causes crashes is helpful in managing the complexity of riding situations. How would you answer this question: “What is the primary cause of motorcycle crashes in Thailand?” Here are some of the results of a study of nearly 1,000 motorcycle accidents conducted in 2001 in Bangkok and up-country Thailand.
Summary of the causes of motorcycle accidents in Thailand
1. Rider error is the most frequent primary contributing factor in single and multiple vehicle accidents (50-55%)
a. Alcohol involved in 30% of accidents
b. Poor motorcycle riding involved in 40% of accidents
i. Poor vision and visibility - no mirrors.
ii. Failure to use head light or other lights (even at night)
iii. Unsafe Speed
iv. Unsafe Position
v. Following too closely
vi. Run off the road or fall
2. Other vehicle error (35-40%)
a. Poor vision and visibility -- ‘Did not see the motorcyclist’
b. Failure to yield to motorcycle
c. Ignoring traffic control signs
3. Mechanical Problems
a. Usually related to modification or poor maintenance of motorcycle, especially lights and mirrors
b. Nearly 30% of motorcycles involved in accidents do not have either rear view mirror, this coupled with poor helmet design is a factor when the rider fails to detect another vehicle coming from behind.
4. Roadway design and maintenance contributes to 5-10% of accidents (particularly at night)
5. 20% of Motorcycle accidents are single vehicle accidents
a. Motorcycle ran off the road - a frequent cause
6. Rider demographics
a. Male motorcycle riders involved in 80-95% of accidents (age 18-35)
b. Most riders are self-taught, learned from friends and are unlicensed.
c. Very few riders have had any formal training in riding motorcycles
7. Protective Clothing
a. Helmet usage in Bangkok was 78% during day and 60% during night
b. Helmet usage up-country was only 25%
c. Helmets on passengers: 4% upcountry and 30% Bangkok
d. Improper helmets are often used and result in higher fatalities
e. Cyclists fail to wear protective clothing: shoes and jackets
8. Most common accident: Motorcycle hits rear of motorcar or truck
9. Accident rates triple at night. During daylight the crash rate is one crash for every 155 motorcycles on the road. At night the rate increases to one for every 55 motorcycles on the road.
10. 7% of accidents result in fatalities.
