When you think of a distracted driver, you might imagine a person behind the wheel of a car or truck who is using a cell phone to text or make a call. However, distracted driving can also be a serious problem among motorcycle riders in Tennessee. Furthermore, these riders may be putting themselves at an even greater danger since they do not have the protection of a car or truck body around them.
Built-in distractions
Motorcycle riders have always exchanged brief comments with fellow riders or passengers, but this does not cause the kind of sustained distraction that using a phone does. Touring bikes increasingly have infotainment systems that resemble those build into cars and trucks. Common features include:
- Bike-to-bike and passenger communication
- Satellite radio
- Integrated GPS
- Access to phone apps
In one typical phone-related fatal accident, a rider lost control when he was passing a cell phone to his passenger. The passenger survived, but the rider, who was not wearing a helmet, did not.
Best practices for safe riding
Instead of trying to take a call or check a text while riding, motorcyclists should pull over to the side of the road. They should avoid using the infotainment systems provided and set the GPS to give audio directions instead of looking at a screen.
These actions can help keep motorcyclists safer and reduce the likelihood that they will cause an accident that could leave them liable. Unfortunately, motorcycle riders are also vulnerable to careless and distracted driving on the part of people in cars and trucks. A motorcyclist who suffers auto accident injuries may want to consult an attorney to discuss how to proceed. The driver who caused the accident may owe the motorcycle rider compensation for the losses that were sustained.
