Eight reasons motorcyclists in Pakistan are more prone to road accidents

According to a 2014 World Health Organisation report, every year, 2.69% of Pakistanis die due to road accidents. This indicates that 20 people of every 100,000 die in a road accident per year. It is no wonder that Pakistan is ranked 67th in the list of worldwide countries with a higher road accident prevalence rate. Another report by WHO in 2013 postulated that by 2030, road accidents will become a fifth major cause of deaths.

More than 50% of reported accidents in Pakistan involve motorbikes. The Punjab Bureau of Statistics reports show that motorcycles account for 75% of the registered vehicles. Since a motorcyclist relies on two wheels rather than four, a lot depends on the driver's balancing and driving abilities. The motorcyclist is more likely to be hit than a car driver since it is easier for drivers to detect cars. An accident that would only dent a car can potentially paralyse a motorist.

Hence, bikers should take note of these common accidents and try to avoid them:

1. Bikers presume they can afford the passivity enjoyed by car drivers 

Most accidents occur because a vehicle ahead of the idling motorcyclist suddenly turns at the intersection. This may be because the driver fails to notice the biker, misjudges his speed or is fooled by a blind spot.

A variety of accidents can be avoided by inculcating the habit of "defensive driving" which entails forestalling a mishap by mentally preparing oneself for every scenario. Motorcyclists need to be constantly alert and should mentally discount all imminent threats. For example, if there is a gap at the intersection or if a car’s tires are tilted more towards one side, they should not assume the freedom to move in any direction.



2. Blind corners are danger zones 

Speeding drivers are taken by surprise when they encounter even a small mound of sand or gravel as they turn the corner. They instantly dig their bike's front tire on it. However, the combined force of the impact and speed will only overhaul the bike.

They should turn corners at a slow pace and then pick up speed on the way when they are assured of unobstructed vision. Additionally, front disk brakes in the latest models of motorbikes enable drivers to employ a life-saving technique called "trail braking". This hack pushes drivers to brake all the way to the top using the front brake before swapping it for throttle. It adds much needed balance by distributing the weight of the bike forward.



3. Automobiles shift lanes without prior warning

Drivers often fail to account for the possibility that a car from the adjacent lane will swerve into his lane. This fairly common phenomenon is particularly dangerous for motorcyclists for two reasons. Firstly, bikes can fit into narrow blind spots and secondly, car drivers looking for other cars are psychologically conditioned to be oblivious to two wheelers.

Consequently, divers should avoid lingering in blind spots and junctures where lane change is possible. Furthermore, they should pick on subtle cues such as turn signals and driver’s body language like looking into the mirror and swerving his head.



4. The front brake has a learning curve 

Motorcyclists instantly clutch on the front brake when they encounter an unexpected object. This will send your bike skidding down the road and may even result in bruised knees and bleeding elbows.


Although the conventional drum brakes are dependable because they skid very little, front disc brakes, if used the right way, can ensure road safety. As they are bigger in size they have the higher stopping power, cool down easily and cause less damage to the wheels.

Riders should either practice reducing the stoppage distance or get anti-lock braking system, better known as ABS to prevent motorcycle wheel from locking up during braking.



5. "Fender benders" are not all that innocuous 

A “fender bender”, normally described as a “minor slow speed” accident can mean something completely different for a biker. This usually occurs when either a driver pulls back out of a parking or is taken by surprise by a vehicle at its rear. Rear-end collisions can be lethal since the biker isn’t surrounded by metal protection.

Hence, if he thinks that the driver following him is not aware of his presence, he should pull off to the side and flash the brake lights rapidly.



6. Parked cars are not as passive as they seem 

Small nooks between lane of parked cars and active traffic, lure bikers into thinking they can save time. However, they end up losing money and sometimes even life as the door of the parked car opens unexpectedly.

They should be wary of such traps because even more unexpected things like a passenger stepping out of the car can have grave consequences.  However, if a driver finds himself in a similar fix, he should brake hard immediately to minimise impact.



7. Driving in a drugged state makes the balancing act more precarious 

If a driver is inebriated or high on a drug, he will not only imperil himself, but also put other commuters at risk. It would be silly of him to undertake the task of controlling a two wheeler with the aid of slow reflexes and either dulled or over-stimulated senses.



8. All tires are not suitable for racing 

Bikers would benefit from using bikes with alloy wheels for racing activities. These tires as compared to ones with spoke wheels are lighter and more sturdy. They require relatively little maintenance which makes it all the more desirable for sports activities. Bikes are exposed to a lot of wear and tear in races which is why spoke tires give a lot of trouble to drivers. They bend easily and can lead to accidents in extreme cases. Another important factor is that the wheel has no joint since it is a single cast entity which means that it will not break off easily.  They are also more fuel efficient due to a lower unsprung weight.



Compared to bikes, manufacturers have much more options to augment road safety in the case of cars by employing technology. Where an automobile driver will benefit from Google maps and trackers, bikers cannot even afford to check the rear view mirror or lane departure warnings. A research indicates that a driver has just 2 seconds from the time a collision sequence starts and the impact. This is why it is imperative that they make defensive driving a part of their routine.