According to the National Center for Health Statistics, males were responsible for eight out of every ten bicycle fatalities in 2016. That’s almost eight times more than females. Distracted driving, running red lights, unsafe lane changes, and driving under the influence of alcohol were also among the top causes of high bicycle accident case results.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a leading cause of vehicle collisions and a contributing factor in bicycle accidents. Drivers who are distracted tend to be less attentive to the road and may not see a bicyclist until it is too late. This can cause severe injuries and massive medical bills.
The number of bicycle accidents caused by distracted drivers has increased by 30% in the past five years. Most of these victims are males between 25 and 64 years old. The majority of distracted driver fatalities occur during daytime hours. Distracted drivers disproportionately kill bicycle riders.
Running Red Lights
A recent SUNY Buffalo study showed that running red lights is a major cause of bicycle accidents. Fifty-six percent of cyclists violated traffic laws by ignoring red lights. Young and middle-aged cyclists committed the majority of these violations. They were also more likely to run a red light when fewer other cyclists were waiting to cross the street or when there were already bicycle riders crossing on a red light. This study is a reminder to ride carefully and obey traffic laws.
Drivers need to be more aware of bicycle riders and ensure they yield to pedestrians and cyclists whenever they are at an intersection. This will prevent cars from turning in front of cyclists and keep them visible to other motorists. Drivers should also reduce their speed according to road conditions.
Unsafe Lane Changes
If you’re driving a car, you’ve probably noticed that many accidents happen when motorists fail to check for cyclists and pedestrians. This is particularly problematic when a motorist tries to merge into a different lane. Unsafe lane changes can cause serious accidents. For example, drivers might cut off a cyclist or swerve into another car when they fail to look over their shoulders.
Many bicycle accidents occur due to drivers violating traffic laws that govern lane changes. If cyclists are injured in one of these collisions, they can file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent motorist. These types of accidents can be very severe, so it is important to know how to avoid them. If you’re the victim of a lane change, you must report the accident to the appropriate authorities. Make sure that you include a statement about the negligent lane change in your accident report.
Drunk Driving
Almost half of all bicycle accidents are caused by drunk drivers. The study used data from the Police Department, Health Department, Medical Examiner’s Office, and Transportation Department. Intoxicated drivers are less likely to hit bicyclists and may cause more damage than other factors. Drivers who are intoxicated may also be less likely to yield to bicyclists.
Studies have shown that as many as one in three bicyclists are impaired by alcohol, so taking that number seriously is important.
Failure To Yield
Many bicycle accidents happen because drivers fail to yield to oncoming traffic. This is a major cause of injuries and fatalities for cyclists. While most motorists follow traffic laws, many do not understand their duty to yield to cyclists. Another problem is distracted driving. The CDC reports that distracted driving causes an average of nine deaths and 1,000 injuries each day.
It is important to yield to cyclists when you turn or stop. This will prevent you from turning or hitting a bicyclist and keep everyone else on the road safe. When turning on a red light, look to the left, right, and behind before making your turn. It would help if you also slowed down or reduced your speed to the road’s conditions. Taking these precautions is critical to preventing an accident with a cyclist.