The difficulty in spotting motorcycles

Throughout the winter, there will have been far fewer motorcycles on the roads in Washington. Now that the weather has turned, this is all set to change.

Motorcycles and larger vehicles are different in size, weight and structure, but they must all operate within the same space. Unfortunately, road traffic collisions are still commonplace in Washington, and motorcyclists are especially exposed to catastrophic injuries.

One common reason cited for collisions involving motorbikes is that the driver was unable to see them. Are motorcycles more difficult to see? If so, why is this the case?

The stature of motorcycles

Motorcycles can cut their way through rush hour traffic fairly easily. They can do this because they are small and agile. However, there is a downside to being so small, you escape the sights of other road users. Drivers need to be extra vigilant when operating near motorcyclists and riders should also be wary of blind spots.

Inattentional blindness

The human brain is complex and it can operate in ways that appear mysterious. Just because a person sees something, that doesn’t mean that the brain registers it as a hazard. Studies indicate that drivers often see riders coming but can still fail to act in time to avoid a collision. This is because of a phenomenon referred to as “inattentional blindness.” Subconsciously, motorcyclists can be filtered out of a road user’s hazard perception, which exposes them to a severe risk of injury.

As a motorcyclist, you are especially at risk of injury during a road traffic collision. If you have been harmed because of someone else’s behavior, you may be entitled to legal compensation.