C is for crashing
Yep… it’s the C word! We don't like to talk about crashing. We think if we don’t talk about it, it won’t happen. It’s kind of like a child who hides underneath the sheets: If I don’t see it, it doesn’t exist.
Except it does.
I can, with the authority of a 25-year career in trauma, say that crashes happen. I’ve put Humpty Dumpty back together again in the emergency department, trauma bays, and operating room. I can still hear the Attending Physician in the Emergency Room, “cars have bumpers, motorcycles have bones,” and the trauma nurses crying “Incoming! Organ donor!” The fact that I started to motorcycle is a twisted miracle.
I try to reconstruct accidents on my drive home after work. Was it caused by something unavoidable like a driver’s left-hand turn into a motorcyclist? An unexpected animal crossing the road? Did the rider swerve or emergency brake? Were they speeding? Were they drinking? Was it dark? Or, too bright with sun glare? Could it happen to me?
The answer is yes, it could. There is no 100% guarantee I will never be in an accident. BUT, there are steps I can take to minimize risk. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are certain risk factors associated with higher risk of crashing, injury, and death.
Alcohol
I never consume alcohol and ride. NEVER. Research shows alcohol significantly increases inattention and crashes. I, for one, don’t even listen to music when I ride on the road because I might get distracted by my sick beats.
Lack of protective gear
I always wear all my gear. ALL my gear, no matter the temperature. Trust me, once you’ve seen one degloving injury of the foot you will never ride with only sneakers.
For pavement, I wear abrasion-resistant gloves, and pants and jackets with Level 2* armor
For dirt and trails, I wear a chest protector with kidney wraps, elbow, knee, long sleeves, eye protection, and gloves
Regardless of tarmac versus trail, I wear a full helmet and a boot with 3-4 buckles. If my ride might include pavement, there’s an abrasion-resistant layer to my gear. I have spent hours picking out gravel and debris from some of the Worlds Worst Road Rash™. Not only is it exquisitely painful it leaves a nasty scar.
*Ladies gear is usually sold with Level 1 inserts, and we need to pony up the cash for Level 2.
Excessive Speed
I am not speed. Whilst I may look badass geared up, the reality is I drive like I have Miss Daisy. I am not on the track. I’m not the fastest, but I’m going to get to my destination in one piece. The faster you go the longer it takes to stop. It’s simple math.
Lack of skill or training
I am a huge advocate for training. My MSF instructors parting words were “Don’t get cocky about your motorcycle skills. You only own a piece of paper saying you successfully rode in a parking lot.” The MSF course was just the beginning: I take a training course every year, and mix up my instructors to learn different methods.
I also practice regularly as skills can perish. Practice reinforces good habits like progressive emergency braking or smooth swerves even if I’m panicking. Here’s your homework: Go to a parking lot and count how many parking spaces it takes you to emergency brake. Then do it again at least five times. I guarantee your stopping distance will get shorter. Another assignment: Test your skills against the great judge, the cone. Try sharp U-turns and Figure 8s within a 4-cone box. The visual of a cone makes you work deliberately and provides instant feedback, using the friction zone, a steady throttle, and smart braking.
In conclusion
I can be a real Debbie Downer when it comes to crashing. I’ve noticed people on social media immediately become defensive or argumentative about crashing, but injury and death is real. I am a firm believer that seeing the risk factors and knowing how to minimize them makes our riding better.
Check out this video to learn more about The National Institute of Highway Safety motorcycle crashing statistics from Revzilla. It’s about four minutes and worth a listen.
