Even experienced riders face new difficulties when navigating New Jersey’s highways after dark. Numerous safety considerations must be followed when riding a motorcycle at night. Riders can improve their safety and reduce the chance of accidents by being aware of and abiding by certain protocols.
Riding a Motorcycle at Night: Safety Tips for Night Rides
Riding a motorcycle at night may require more caution as there are increased road hazards and a reduction in visibility. In order to stay safe, the rider needs to take some safety precautions such as wearing a helmet, wearing reflective gear, using high-quality headlights, and minimizing speed to quickly react to unexpected obstacles. Furthermore, a responsible driver should maintain a safe following distance at all times.
A New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Lawyer can offer you the support you need to defend your rights if you have been in a motorcycle accident. To reduce the frequency of motorcycle accidents that occur after dark, we have outlined certain measures riders can implement in order to stay safe while driving at night.
Wear Reflective Gear for Riders:
Visibility is reciprocal. Making yourself visible is just as crucial as ensuring your motorcycle is visible to others. Invest in reflective apparel, including jackets, helmets, or vests. How does this help? These make it more likely that other drivers will notice you. Reflective fabrics can increase your visibility and lower your chance of getting into an accident by reflecting the light from the car’s headlights.
Slow Down
Seeing obstructions in the roads of New Jersey can be challenging when driving. Avoiding road hazards becomes considerably more difficult when you’re going too fast. For this reason, it’s crucial to slow down when driving at night, particularly in areas that you may not be familiar with.
It is better to drive in accordance with the posted speed limit at all times, but especially at night. It is also important to periodically scan for driving hazards. By doing these things, you will be better able to observe and respond to any obstruction in front of you. This ensures yours and other drivers’ safety.
Avoid Staring Straight into Headlights
It’s vital to keep your eyes away from approaching headlights. These bright lights can temporarily blind you. Instead, concentrate on the road’s edge or the lane lines to keep a clear perspective.
Stay Away from Drugs and Alcohol
It should go without saying that it is pretty unsafe to ride a motorcycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol at any time of day.
These substances increase the chance of an event by impairing your judgment, coordination, and response time. Make sure that your skills aren’t impaired and always ride sober.
Watch Out for Wildlife
Wildlife is more active at night. Thus, motorcycle riders in New Jersey may have an increased high risk of colliding with them during the hours of darkness. Watch out for reflective eyes and be especially careful when riding in rural or forested regions. Be ready to make an evasive maneuver if you see an animal in the vicinity of the road. Reducing your speed will help to avoid colliding with wildlife on night rides.
When Riding at Night, Wear a Clear Visor
Low-light visibility issues can be considerably lessened with dark-tinted visors designed for daytime use. However, a transparent visor is the best helmet for night riding. You will be able to see the road and any potential obstacles more clearly with a clear visor.
Make Use of Your High Beam
Driving on the high beam is crucial if you’re not following or close to another car. This will make it easier to envision the path ahead. This can also help you foresee any potential roadblocks. Furthermore, you should ensure that your motorcycle’s lighting system is in good, working order. You should also ensure that you turn signals, headlights, and taillights work correctly by checking them regularly.
Why Night Riding Is More Dangerous?
Because of decreased visibility, increased tiredness, and a higher prevalence of intoxicated drivers, riding at night is riskier. The following are the dangers of riding at night:-
1. Less Visibility
The lack of visibility at night is one of the main obstacles to riding. At night, visibility is worse for both bikers and other drivers. Because barriers, road signs, and other vehicles are more difficult to spot, there may be a greater chance of accidents.
2. Enhanced Fatigue
Motorcyclists who ride at night are sometimes more exhausted, affecting their ability to respond quickly and make sound decisions. Fatigue can cause attention problems, which raises the risk of driving errors. On the other hand, other drivers may be fatigued on the road as well, which raises the risk for motorcycle accidents. Consequently, if you are driving a motorcycle after dusk, it is critical to be on the look out for cars that could be driving erratically or swerving, as these movements could indicate that a driver is fatigued.
3. Impaired Driving
A sizable portion of drunk driving collisions takes place at night. Motorcyclists are more susceptible to crashes than those in larger cars with four or more wheels, which raises the risk for them.
Involved in a Motorcycle Crash? Contact a Lawyer
Avoid letting a motorcycle accident ruin your life. Contact Omni Injury and Accident Law for the legal advocacy you are entitled to regarding a motorcycle accident claim. To schedule a consultation, contact us today by calling 1 646-736-4184.