No confining coachwork protects the motorcycle rider which is the root of the problem. A motorcyclist can add lights to his bike and wear reflective clothing but that’s the most he can do to advertise his presence to automobile drivers. Being hit by an automobile due to not seeing the motorcyclist is the number one cause of motorcycle accidents. The Yost Legal Group of Baltimore, Maryland states that in accidents involving a car two thirds of the cases occur because the driver didn’t see the motorcyclist. FindLaw.com, an online legal repository of forms, law and attorney locater, says that motorcycles are smaller and can be unseen by oncoming traffic at intersections, where 70% of collisions occur.

Oddly road conditions accounted for only 25% of motorcycle accidents and weather 2%, according to the Hurt study. FindLaw.com cites the wobble of the front wheel on the bike in addition to excessive speed as causes of motorcycle accidents. Both state that lack of driver education is a major contribution to accidents. Fatalities that occurred exclusive of accidents with a car happened when the biker failed to negotiate a curve by overcompensating, overbraking or excessive speed.

Those are the statistics. What might the answer be? First and foremost, formal training in motorcycle riding comparable to driving school for automobile drivers. This would inform the biker of aerodynamics of the cycle, alignment of the wheels, proper handling in curves and sharp turns, road hazards and inclement weather training. Properly licensing the cyclist would insure that the rider is trained in these matters. Wearing protective gear such as leather gloves and boots, pants instead of shorts and leather jackets all protect the rider from injury while helmets worn at all times can save a life. Reflective strips on jackets and pants or reflective vests worn over the jacket also aid in alerting automobile drivers to the presence of the cyclist.

This is in no manner meant to be legal advice but a straightforward presentation of the statistics of motorcycle accidents. Knowing what caused a thing is the key to repairing it. Knowing what causes accidents will give the cyclist information needed to ride properly and safely.

This article was not written by an attorney, and should not in any way be considered legal advice. Please contact an attorney in your local area for information relating to your specific case.

It’s simply not a matter of rocking up at the RTA and being handed a permit straight away. It’s a little more involved than that. If you want to gain your learner license the first time around, by following these steps you will ensure that happens.

* Read a copy of the Road User’s Handbook. These can be purchased at any RTA across NSW for a nominal fee. Better yet, you can download it from the RTA website at no cost at all! That way you can read it on your computer or print it out to do a little reading away from the PC. Regardless of which option, it’s important for you to read, re-read and understand all the theoretical knowledge in the handbook. You will be tested on your knowledge before gaining a drivers license and you must answer the majority of questions correctly. Some questions are an instant fail regardless of how many question you get right, so remember to consistently make the effort to read this book.
* Book a DKT with the RTA. A DKT is the drivers knowledge test and will form the basis of whether you pass or fail. You must pass this test in order to gain your learners permit. Have a family member drive you so that you may brush up on the syllabus one last time before sitting the test. This way it will remain fresh in your mind.

OK! So you’ve passed your DKT and now have a learners drivers license. Congratulations! Before you can move onto your provisional license (this will allow you to drive by yourself) you will in most cases need to complete a driver log book with 120 hours of driving.

In order to do this, the best way is to book driving lessons with a driving instructor from your local area. This will ensure you will learn the correct rules of the road, how to drive in the correct manner which will lead to passing your practical driving test the first time around. This will save you money, time and get you driving your own car much quicker.

Drive your way on over to the Australian driving school website for more information for learner drivers

Even with the best of efforts and the best driving lessons comes the chance of a mistake. It may not happen to you, but it can happen to the other drivers out there on the road and involve you. While you have certain options to pursue towards avoiding this sort of dreadful encounter, they’re often limited if a seriously flawed mistake is made. For example, if another driver runs a red light and slams into the side of a vehicle crossing during its green signal.

A situation like the aforementioned one is a worst-case scenario, but it’s always possible, if improbable. However, knowing how to deal with accidents is just as important as preventing them, so with that said we’re going to cover some basic concepts to keep in mind to do the best during the worst.

First of all, always be prepared. This means having more than the adaptable mentality (although that is crucial). You should at all times be carrying your automotive insurance information with you. Most people keep it in the glove compartment, which is an ideal spot. More than that, however, prepare yourself fully by keeping a form for quick write-ups to describe the situation of a wreck. Even more ideal is to have a disposable camera ready to take pictures once things unfold. This is crucial for liability and damage claims.

Of course, now that you have that out of the way, you should always make efforts to stop your vehicle and move it to a safe position, if at all possible. Getting out the way of further traffic only ensures that nothing worse becomes of the situation. If you can’t drive your vehicle, then call a tow truck company to get your vehicle moved — but be certain to get the name, number, and address of the company you’re using.

Of course, after you’ve made those efforts, if the situation looks devastating, then don’t hesitate to call for medical assistance. Everybody involved who can walk should move to a safe location, and those left behind need emergency service. More than determining liability, this is saving lives. In a best-case scenario, wrecks are hopefully just minor inconveniences, but when things turn south, time-critical decisions have to be made.

Finally, any driving school will tell you that you should also contact the police. This often happens on its own, but you should make the effort to pursue it immediately, so as to secure the situation for investigation and identification. As sad as it may seem, some people who are witnesses have a tendency to flee, not wanting involvement. Same with the occasional perpetrators of this sort of terrible driving mistake. They may not get much farther, but they can cause more damage which by all means should be minimized.

Learn how to drive step by step with Driving Plus Driving School. For more information on Driving Plus and their instructors visit Driving School.