The feel of the open air as you ride is a likely reason you enjoy riding your motorcycle. Ideally, you should never have to worry about your safety when riding, but unfortunately, motorcycle riders face additional risks of injury and death than other drivers. A road intersection is one place where you as a rider should exercise added caution when approaching.
It is the duty of all motorists to maintain vigilance for other vehicles, so surrounding drivers should keep watch for you when you approach. Nonetheless, you cannot count on all drivers to exercise sound driving practices. FindLaw explains the possible hazards you might encounter when you drive into an intersection.
Failing to recognize a motorcycle
Motorcycles are smaller than most vehicles, which makes them harder for other drivers to see. Your surroundings on the road can compound the problem. Stationary objects like trees and fences may block your motorcycle from view. Weather conditions can also obscure you and your bike. Any of these problems can only get worse if you cross an intersection, where you may pass by more obstructions like traffic signs and larger vehicles.
Not yielding to other vehicles
Like any driver, you know to yield the right of way to drivers who have the right to make turns into an intersection. However, accidents can happen if a driver does not yield the right of way to a motorcycle. Some motorists do not watch their surroundings carefully enough to spot a motorcycle, perhaps not remembering that vehicles smaller than cars and trucks share the road with them.
Excessive speeding
You probably feel the temptation to speed through a yellow right before it turns red. Nonetheless, you exercise sound judgment and slow down before you cross the intersection. Another driver might not be as considerate. A motorist bent on getting through an intersection might pour on speed while not focusing on other vehicles that might be passing through the intersection at the time, including motorcycles.
