Many motorcyclists are scared to ride their bikes at night. They fear the dark because it diminishes their visual acuity. This makes it harder for them to navigate curves and corners or to spot road hazards. The darkness also tends to bring out nocturnal animals and drunk drivers. While riding your bike in the dark is dangerous, there are steps that you can take to keep yourself safe.
You should inspect your motorbike before taking it out every time you plan to ride it. It’s even more important to do so, though, if you’re going to head out at night. Check your light settings to see if your headlights are as illuminated as you’d like them to be. If they’re not, then you should consult your owner’s manual to learn how to adjust them to a more optimal setting.
While you have the light cover off, you should also wipe away any moisture buildup and other debris that may be coating the lens. You may even benefit from changing out the light bulbs to higher powered, aftermarket light-emitting diode (LED) ones as well. By doing this, you will give yourself the best chance of being seen by oncoming traffic.
Aside from inspecting your bike and replacing your headlights, you can also keep yourself safe when riding your motorcycle at night by following the curve of the white painted line.
You should use the headlights of other motorists to gauge how close approaching vehicles are. The shadow of their lights can help you identify potential hazards in your path.
If you’re concerned about animals entering the road, then you should be more cautious in navigating areas where they’re commonly found. If you know that bars generally close at a certain time in Los Angeles, then you should stay off the road for a while after they do to avoid potential drunk drivers.
You should carry a replacement lightbulb, some tools, a flashlight and a tire repair kit to quickly fix your bike on a dark California highway.
There are a variety of catastrophic and disabling injuries that result from head-on motorcycle collisions. These include scarring or disfigurement, bulged or herniated disks, paralysis, traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries or broken bones. When you’ve been seriously hurt, reach out to a motorcycle accidents attorney who can provide you with the legal help you need following a head-on collision.