Controversial opinion: Most motorcycle accidents caused by rider of bike. How to stay safe

I recently read in the York Daily Record/Sunday News a startling statistic.  Twenty-three motorcyclists have died on the roads in York County in the last 18 months.  How can this be, I thought to myself?  Then I did some digging and found out that most of these deaths could have been prevented if the motorcyclist adhered to the principles of what I like to call the 'psychology of motorcycle riding.'

Since I drove solely a motorcycle for 25 years (and never had an accident), while living in California and Florida, I know what I'm talking about.  I didn't receive my drivers license for a car until I was 40.  

It is my belief, in 99% of them, a motorcycle accident was caused by the rider of the bike.  The highway patrol may have found the driver of the car at fault; however, the motorcyclist placed themselves in the position for a crash in the first place.

If anyone expects automobile drivers to see motorcyclists, they're sadly mistaken no matter how much training and education the car driver receives.  There are just too many blind spots where a motorcycle hides from view for this philosophy to be practical and to stem the tide of deaths on the road.  Furthermore, it is difficult for automobile drivers to judge the speed of a motorcycle, thinking they have time to make the turn in front of the bike, but they don't.  However, it's still on the motorcyclist to be aware of the situation and to react accordingly.

A more impactful process would be for the motorcyclist to develop the mental skills necessary to survive on the road.  Here are my top 10, in no specific order:

1.  Never pass on the right.  You will be in the driver's blind spot, and if they decide to change lanes, you're in trouble.  

2.  Always keep your head up looking outward to the road.  If you want to look at your bike, park it, get off and look at it. 

3.  Keep your head on a swivel, especially at intersections.  Looking left, right, and then left again before crossing an intersection isn't always enough.  Picture the NFL player running down the field constantly looking over his shoulder for tacklers gaining on him.  That should be a motorcyclist at the intersection looking left and right.

4.  Always scan the road and check your mirrors.  The day you feel relaxed, stressless and not paying close attention to what's going on, you're in trouble.  Driving a motorcycle is supposed to be a stressful experience.  I mean, every time you get on a bike, you're placing your life in a dangerous situation and that creates stress.  After driving in unfamiliar territory, I always felt mentally exhausted when I arrived at my destination because I had expended so much mental energy on the road.

5.  Looking at traffic, anticipate what can happen on the road. Imagine the worst thing that can happen, because it usually will.  If you drive as though you're invisible, you're halfway to being safe.

6.  Never assume what a car is going to do.  The best example of this I can offer is one where a motorcyclist is waiting at a stop sign and a driver is coming from their left with their right turn signal on.  If the biker takes off and doesn't wait until the car begins their turn...

7.  Never drive in the left lane on the highway unless it is to pass slower traffic.  The most important trait for any motorcyclist is patience.  If a biker lacks patience, they're not going to survive for very long.  In my travels around York County, I consistently observe motorcyclists driving in the left lane on highway 83 while tailgating the car in front of them.  Why?  Because they lack patience.

8.  Obey all traffic laws.  I read about a recent motorcyclist's death caused because they were passing cars on the service lane.  Traffic laws need to be obeyed because, believe it or not, they will save your life.

9.  Don't drive faster than the speed of traffic.  I never had a need for speed.  The first time I drove 55 mph over the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, my heart was in my throat, scared to death.  Of course you get used to it, but I never felt the need to go over the speed limit; however, motorcyclists must also keep up with the speed of traffic.

10.  Beware of out of state license plates.  If an out of state automobile has their left turn signal on, they're guaranteed to be making a right turn.  GPS has helped to solve this issue, but then again, never assume what a car will do.

Motorcycling is a brother/sisterhood.  Whether you're riding with a group in a club or as a solo operator like me, all of us have a bond.  Automobile drivers who have never ridden a motorcycle may not have the empathy required to respect us and to drive accordingly, so it's up to us to drive as safely as possible. 

Lawrence Goldman lives in York.