Revealed: 6 factors responsible for the recent deadly bike accidents in Nigeria

There’s no doubt that riding a motorcycle is a joyful experience. But with excitement also comes risk. The truth is that motorcycles are naturally dangerous by nature, there aren’t any seatbelts and there are no protective structures.

Besides, motorcycles are far smaller and thus less visible than motor vehicles. Riding a motorcycle is very risky when it comes to personal safety and yet there are about one million motorcycles on the road according to Federal Road Safety corps of Nigeria. In fact, according to states licensing offices,more people are riding motorcycles now more than ever before in Nigeria.

It’s important to note that in many cases, motorcycle accidents are caused by a combination of different factors. Bikers Academy urge all riders to be cautious because accidents do occur and when they do, they are often catastrophic. Please be careful.

1. Alcohol

Alcohol and the operation of motorcycle just don’t mix. When it comes to riding a motorcycle, every single last bit of attention should be dedicated to the safe operation of the bike. Nevertheless, alcohol plays a role in the top causes of motorcycle accidents. According to FRSC, 27 percent of riders involved in fatal accidents had a blood alcohol concentration of over 0.08 while operating a motorcycle. That’s alarming, to say the least. That’s the highest prevalence of intoxicated drivers from all other motorist groups.

When considering age and alcohol, individuals between the ages 40 and 44 had the highest incidence of alcohol-related motorcycle crash fatalities.

2. Weather

Motorcycles are no match against rain, sleet and ice. Although statistics don’t point to weather as a predominant factor in motorcycle crashes, weather is nevertheless a compounding factor in many motorcycle accidents. Collisions often occur due to slippery roadways, most likely from light drizzle or unexpected rainfall.

3. Rider Age

Surprisingly, older riders are at a greater risk of motorcycle-related fatalities according to a report by FRSC. Statistics reveal that 65 percent of riders killed in bike accidents were age 40 or older in 2015.

There’s no doubt that skill and risk are each significant contributors as to why age plays a role in the top causes of motorcycle accidents. With older riders, the ability to maneuver a motorcycle may become more difficult over time. Also, if an accident does occur, an older body may not be lucky when it comes to healing and recovery. Sadly, older riders may be more prone to fatalities simply due to an aging and less resilient body.

On the other hand, young riders may participate in far riskier activity than older drivers and thus be more prone to more injury, with some injuries resulting in fatality. Younger riders may also be new at riding a motorcycle and thus less experienced with how to react to changing roadway conditions.

4. Traffic

It goes without saying that cars could pose as a motorcycle’s nemesis. After all, with far greater size and weight, a motor vehicle could cause catastrophic damage to the motorcycle not to mention grave injury to the person onboard. Rush hour traffic is a largely contributing factor to motorcycle accidents.

On any given weekday 8am to 12’noon and 5pm to 9pm is the riskiest time for motorcycle riding in Nigeria.Rush hour is still the riskiest time to travel accounting for just over 25 percent of all injuries by way of motorcycle travel.

There’s no doubt that maneuvering in and out of stop-and-go traffic plays a huge role in the top causes of motorcycle accidents. Although it may sound convenient to bypass stopped traffic with a motorcycle, riders are strongly cautioned to proceed with caution considering rush hour statistics.

5. Lack of Licensing & Experience

Unfortunately, too many riders in Nigeria are not even licensed to operate a motorcycle. Inexperience combined with a lack of formal training can lead to disastrous results for motorcyclists who ride without a license. Nearly a quarter of all motorcycle riders fatally injured in 2015 were unlicensed. That’s simply an unwise move for any rider.

It goes without saying that all motorcyclists should be currently licensed when operating a bike. There’s a reason that Lagos state traffic law dictates license for all motor vehicle operators including those aboard a motorcycle. It’s common sense and it’s the law.

6. Reckless Riding

It’s a known fact that bikers who ride a “super sport” motorcycle have higher death rates – nearly four times higher – than other types of motorcycles. Riders of these types of super sport motorcycles are often known for driving at excessive speeds (up to 190 mph) in addition to engaging in road tricks such as wheelies or standing atop the motorcycle seat while traveling at excess speeds.

Individuals with super sport bikes are likely to be younger with an average age of 27. In addition to speeding, rider error and recklessness were also compounding factors in this category and death are considerably higher.

Conclusion

One of the best ways to prevent motorcycle injury and death is to wear a good safety helmet. Choosing to go without one is simply too risky and irresponsible when considering how easy it is to wear a helmet and how effective it is at preventing injury and death.

According to the FRSC, helmets are effective at preventing injury and death. According to the source, helmets are scientifically proven to be effective at reducing the risk of brain injury. When considering helmet use, it’s just common sense and a good protective measure against the potential of injury and death.

Take a safety course. Be proactive about your safety and the safety of others.

This write up was prepared by Gbolahan Olayiwola of Bikers Academy (a motorcycle training school in Ibadan). If you know someone who wish to tell others about motorcycling and who wish to learn from experienced instructors, please tell tell them to help themselves by learning how to ride motorcycle @

www.bikersacademy.ng

IG: @bikersacademng