What Dangers Do I Face Driving My Motorcycle In Work Zones?

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When driving your motorcycle on the roadways, it is important to understand the dangers that could result in a motorcycle accident. Besides the obvious dangers presented when driving around other vehicles, motorcycle accident attorneys find that work zones pose additional threats.

Lawyers who help clients involved in motorcycle accidents stress that in order to drive safely through these areas, you should know what dangers exist there and how to avoid an accident.

Motorcycles and Work Zones - A Deadly Combination

Every year, there are nearly 100,000 crashes in work zones that result in nearly 700 fatalities.¹ There are more than 4,500 motorcycle fatalities each year.² Among these numbers, it is estimated that motorcycles account for at least 10% of all fatalities that occur in work zones or at least 70 fatalities per year.

In comparison to all fatalities resulting from a motorcycle accident, attorneys who work with those injured in motorcycle accidents agree that riders face much greater risks when driving through work zones.

The Dangers of Driving A Motorcycle In A Work Zone

Driving a motorcycle can be challenging enough without facing the perils encountered in a work zone. Motorcycle accident lawyers stress that the following hazards can be dangerous if you are not aware of them or do not know how to carefully maneuver your motorcycle to avoid them.

Poor Road Surface Conditions - When passing through a work zone, you may have to drive over roads in various conditions based on the work being performed. Grooved roads being prepared for paving can result in instability, as can driving over unpaved areas layered with gravel, rumble strips, or areas of broken pavement.
Loss of Traction - Loose gravel and sand, water or liquids, and steel plates on the road can lead to reduced traction that may cause a motorcycle accident. Blackout tape and lane pavement markers can degrade over time and become slick when wet, reducing tire friction. When traction is affected, attorneys find that sliding and loss of control is more likely.
Changes in Pavement Elevation - Throughout the paving process, roadwork can leave treacherous surface elevation changes to drivers unaware of them. Thick steel plates, manhole covers, and lanes at different elevations can cause your bike to become unbalanced when driving over them.
Lane Shifting and Merging - The lawyers who regularly help clients recover from motorcycle accidents find that abrupt lane shifting and lane cutoffs are other hazards that can increase danger in work zones if you drive a motorcycle. Many vehicles merging at the same time into fewer lanes, lanes that suddenly end, lane changes with elevation shifts, and other road conditions all increase the possibility of an accident.

While any of these conditions can affect all vehicle drivers, attorneys find them to be especially dangerous for those who drive motorcycles. In work zones you must contend with hazardous road conditions to avoid a motorcycle accident, and be aware of other affected vehicles around you.

Staying safe and avoiding situations that could find you seeking assistance from motorcycle accident lawyers means slowing down, proceeding carefully, and always being attentive. Your goal is to keep your motorcycle always under complete control to avoid work zone accidents!