Trusting Right Of Way
There are rules of the road that aim to organize traffic flow and increase the safety for those using the roadway. Traffic signs and lights dictate who gets to proceed, who has to yield, and who has to stop. Despite these attempts to increase the smooth execution of motor vehicle interactions, accidents still happen. They are far from uncommon. Humans make mistakes, lights and signs do get missed, right of ways are not always honoured. In the event of collisions, accident reconstruction is performed to determine who is at fault. The at-fault driver’s insurance company pays for the repairs, and everyone goes about their life once the dust has settled.
Not At-Fault, Not At-Risk?
But, what if the second person involved was a motorcyclist? For starters, there is a lot less chance to walk away from right of way infractions. Vehicles are significantly heavier than motorcycles. A vehicle in motion could potentially launch a rider into the air on impact or arguably worse, cause instant deceleration as the rider strikes the vehicle and comes to an immediate stop. Under these circumstances, broken bones, concussions, dislocations and lacerations are all probable outcomes for the motorcyclist. Such injuries can be life altering, as it is not always possible for the body to heal from severe trauma. Unlike a vehicle that was damaged, it is simply not possible to check the rider into a mechanic shop to have replacement body parts bolted on. No matter how negligent or at-fault the other driver is, the grim consequences of right-of-way infractions are the rider’s to bear. But, hold on one second here. If you’re to assume all responsibility for your life, who is really at fault? If you cannot rely on other drivers or the right of way, how can these situations be altered so that you can rely on yourself?
The Right of Weight
As a motorcyclist, there are certain aspects of riding that cannot be changed, as they can only be identified and respected. One of them is that on the roadway, you are always the smallest and most vulnerable of all the occupants. In virtually all types of collisions, the motorcyclist stands no chance against their 4-wheeled counterparts. Right-of-way does not matter much in the world of motorcycles. Right Of Weight reigns supreme, but not in our favour. As the lightest of all the machines on the roadway, the motorcyclist never has the Right Of Weight. If you are sitting at a stop sign, you do not have the Right of Weight. If you are travelling at highway speeds, you do not have the Right of Weight. If you are approaching a green light, you still do not have the Right of Weight. By keeping this mentality at the forefront, it gears the rider’s perception strongly towards defensive riding habits. In every circumstance, if another motorist does not yield to you, then you must yield to them. As a motorcyclist, it is your responsibility to monitor all vehicles to ensure they yield because you lose in every collision. Whenever a vehicle could obstruct your path, be ready to yield to the Right Of Weight.
