Motorcycle riders in Missouri will all give you different reasons for why they ride. Some people have always enjoyed the rugged aesthetic associated with motorcycles. Others ride to honor someone they love, like a father or an uncle. A small subset of riders choose motorcycle transportation because it costs less to purchase, fuel and insure a motorcycle than a four-wheeled vehicle.
Regardless of why you ride a motorcycle, you are at major risk of injury in the event of a crash with a four-wheeled vehicle. Enclosed motor vehicles can cause catastrophic collisions for motorcyclists while suffering little more than cosmetic damage. A motorcycle will absorb some of the force of the crash, but it largely leaves you exposed to physical trauma during a collision.
Your risk for such a crash has actually gone up recently, which is reason to make safety your main focus when you head out for your next ride.
Motorcycle collisions in Missouri are on the rise
Crash statistics show a significant increase in collisions recently. If 2022 follows the previous year’s trend, it stands to be a dangerous summer for motorcycle riders.
In 2020, there were 118 motorcyclist fatalities across Missouri. That number increased by 33% to 158 deaths in 2021. Even if levels remain stable or decline, dozens of people will likely lose their lives on motorcycles before the end of the year.
How can you protect yourself on your next ride?
There are numerous ways that you can improve your personal safety when out on your motorcycle. Keeping your bike and safety gear in top condition is important. So too are defensive driving tactics. Treating other vehicles like a potential source of danger could help you spot bad maneuvers before they lead to a crash.
Avoiding alcohol before you ride and making yourself and your motorcycle as visible as possible are among the many ways that you can reduce your risk of a motorcycle wreck on the Missouri roads. You may also want to think about how much insurance you carry so that you have adequate protection in a worst-case scenario.
Avoiding motorcycle collisions and knowing your rights when one occurs will help you limit the risk you incur based on your preferred mode of transportation.
