Tips for Riding a Motorcycle at Night

Riding a motorcycle at night is a great way to enjoy the open road without worrying about heat, busy streets, and traffic jams. While nighttime riding means you encounter fewer vehicles, the darkness creates several other hazards.

Limited visibility, lower temperatures, and a higher rate of drunk drivers can increase the risk of an accident. Motorcycle riders must be aware of low-light hazards and prepare accordingly to minimize risks to nighttime drivers.

Explore these helpful tips for riding a motorcycle at night to help you stay safe on a nighttime ride.

Driving Hazards To Look Out For

A lack of visibility is the most significant danger to riders at night. Without sunlight, road hazards like debris and potholes are more challenging to see and avoid. Headlights, including high beams, only illuminate 200 to 300 feet ahead, offering little time to react when animal or road hazards appear.

Riders must be aware of the following nighttime dangers and take measures to avoid them:

Loose Debris and Potholes

Potholes, rough surfaces, and loose debris can be deadly for motorcycle riders. Never assume that a road is in the same condition as the last time you used it, especially if it rained recently. Water runoff can cause dirt and debris to accumulate on the road surface, diminishing tire grip.

Reduce your speed at night, so you have enough braking distance to avoid potholes and debris. Riders often recommend driving only as fast as you can see. Ride at a speed that gives you enough time to react to potential obstacles within your line of sight.

Animals Crossing the Road

Nocturnal animals, such as foxes and coyotes, roam the Louisiana roads after daylight and seriously threaten motorcycle rider safety, particularly in rural areas or on isolated highways.

Animal behavior is often unpredictable. Some wildlife, like deer, may freeze when they see your headlights, so you’ll need enough time to brake or maneuver out of their path.

Look out for the presence of wildlife, especially near forests or wooded areas. Reduce your speed and keep your eyes alert to the sides of roads in wooded areas where animals may emerge.

Drunk Drivers

Alcohol-impaired road fatalities accounted for over 30% of all fatal crashes on Louisiana roads in 2019.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most drunk driving incidents occur from Friday to Sunday, so your chances of encountering an impaired driver increase on a weekend ride.

Additionally, most alcohol-related road fatalities occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., increasing the dangers of low-light riding. Steer clear of drivers exhibiting signs of intoxication, including swerving or erratic stopping.

Safe Nighttime Driving Habits for Motorcycle Riders

Safety is the priority for riders. At night, being seen is one of the most important ways to stay safe. Ensure you’re visible when the sun goes down by:

• Wearing high-visibility apparel like reflective or brightly colored motorcycle gear, including a jacket, pants, leather, helmet, and gloves.
• Applying reflective tape to the front forks, panniers, wheels, and other prominent bike sections.
• Ensuring your headlights are in good condition (pack spares).
• Cleaning all lights and covers regularly.
• Using your brake lights and blinkers to signal your intentions to other road users.

Louisiana permits riders to mount auxiliary lights on their motorcycles to increase visibility. However, these must emit solid beams of white light, as the state restricts the use of flashing or colored lights to state vehicles, such as police cars.

Knowing where to look is another crucial aspect of safe driving, especially at night when visibility is low, you’re fighting fatigue, and you’re contending with bright headlights. Avoid target fixation by looking past any oncoming objects and guiding the bike where you want it to go.

If oncoming headlights impede your vision, look straight ahead in the direction you’re traveling. When other drivers fail to dip their lights, you can focus on the road markings along the right side, but never look down.

Protect Yourself After an Accident with Help From a Skilled Attorney

Safe riding habits and high-visibility clothing help minimize the risk of a nighttime motorcycle accident. However, you can never guarantee safety when riding. If you suffer injuries on your motorcycle, you’ll need help from experienced Lafayette motorcycle injury attorneys to navigate the legal process and recover any damages.

At Dudley DeBosier, our personal injury lawyers can help you assess your legal options after an accident. Contact us to arrange a free consultation to discuss your situation and learn how we can help determine liability in your case.

Disclaimer: This content has been reviewed by Chad Lederman, Director of Legal Operations at our New Orleans office.

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