Be Careful on the Open Road

We all know that riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating and offers a unique sense of freedom on the open road. However, this excitement comes with risks, particularly when drivers of other vehicles fail to obey traffic laws. Among the most dangerous behaviors for motorcyclists are cars running red lights and not stopping at stop signs. These actions pose significant threats to riders, as motorcycles are less visible than cars and offer much less protection in a crash. Unfortunately this happened to me on several occasions this week so I thought I would just post up an reminder.

The Rising Threat of Red-Light Runners

One of the most common and dangerous violations that endanger motorcyclists is cars running red lights. Whether due to distraction, impatience, or outright recklessness, a vehicle speeding through an intersection can cause catastrophic accidents. Motorcycles, given their smaller size and lower visibility, are especially vulnerable when drivers fail to stop at traffic signals.

According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), red-light running is responsible for hundreds of deaths annually in the U.S., with many victims being pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists. When cars ignore red lights, it creates a situation where even the most attentive motorcyclist may not have enough time to react. The physics of a crash between a motorcycle and a car are unforgiving, and the consequences for riders are often severe or fatal.

One night this past week, this happened to me at two separate red lights that were within 300 yards of each other. The first care was beside me and the light turned red. I started to slow and but the car next to me just kept driving. Did not speed up or slow down - it just kept driving. Keep in mind that the light was read for at least 5 seconds before the care went thru it. Luckily there were NOT any cars trying to cross over or that would have been disastrous.

And then, at the next light, I was stopped AT a red light and out of nowhere, a car passed by me and thru the red light ALMOST nailing the car crossing the road. The red light runner saw the car at the last minute and swerved just missing the other care but a few feet. If they would have hit, I would have had a front row seat to all the carnage.

The Problem of Drivers Ignoring Stop Signs

Stop signs are another critical point of concern for motorcyclists. Many drivers fail to come to a complete stop, either rolling through intersections or ignoring the signs altogether. For a motorcyclist, this behavior can be lethal, as stop signs are often located in residential areas where visibility is already limited by parked cars, trees, or other obstacles.

When drivers don't stop at stop signs, they compromise the predictable flow of traffic, making it difficult for motorcyclists to gauge their next move. Since motorcycles are smaller and have narrower profiles, a driver might not notice them when blowing through a stop sign, putting the rider at a serious disadvantage.

This happened to me about 1/2 mile from my house. This is a 35mph road and has a lot of houses and residential areas. I was doing about 40 and you can see what happened:

Again, just people not paying any attention to the road or being in a hurry. Luckily nothing happened to me this time but I am glad this was not a 55mph road.

The Role of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is often a root cause behind these dangerous behaviors. Whether texting, talking on the phone, or fiddling with the car’s controls, drivers who are not paying attention are more likely to miss a red light or stop sign. For motorcyclists, this lack of focus can be deadly.

Conclusion

For motorcyclists, the actions of other drivers—especially when they involve running red lights and not stopping at stop signs—are a major source of danger. While motorcyclists can take steps to reduce their risk, we cannot anticipate everything so just be safe and stay alert.