Arizona Motorcycle Lawyer for Risks of School Zones
The roadways in Phoenix are dynamic and the conditions change suddenly depending on area and time of day. Motorcyclists are put at risk during these sudden shifts in the flow of traffic. Some of the most dramatic changes occur with the sudden drop in speed limit at school zones. This change is most pronounced when parents are dropping off and picking up students at schools across Peoria, Scottsdale, Chandler, and the greater Phoenix-metro area. Motorcyclists find themselves suddenly coping with speed differentials, distracted drivers, and rapid lane changes: all of which bring a high risk of collision. Motorcyclists should be aware of the potential risks in order to avoid a collision and injury in the hazardous roadway environment around school zones.
Risks of Speed Differential
Large schools can cause congestion up to a half mile away from their pick up/drop off zones. The streets are crowded with busses and parents rushing to drop off or pick up their children and return home. A motorcyclist unfamiliar with the road might be caught off guard by the sudden gridlock. It is this change in speed which can prove most dangerous.
Speed differential—when vehicles are traveling at different speeds—is a common cause of motorcycle accidents. The "Motorcycle Accidents in Depth Study" (MAIDS) reports speed differential was a contributing factor in 18% of the motorcycle accidents studied: much higher than instances solely caused by high speeds.
Areas near school zones pose unique dangers because the flow of traffic is disrupted and many motorists are forced to react quickly. Some make unsafe lane changes, some fail to react due to distraction, and others may overreact and brake suddenly. All of these reactions are disproportionately more dangerous for motorcyclists because of the tendency for other drivers to "just not see them."
Sudden Stopping
In the case of school zones, many drivers are parents more focused on spotting their children in a crowd than watching the road around them. Parents may stop or drastically slow suddenly when they see their children. Crossing guards and children in the road may also cause drivers to brake suddenly. When riding through a school zone in dense traffic, you should take extra care to maintain proper following distance to avoid a rear-end collision. It may be helpful to downshift to first or second gear to take advantage of engine braking, also tapping the brakes to flash the brake light at the drivers behind you.
Sudden Merging
School zones also feature a high rate of merging and sudden lane changes as parents move in and out of traffic. The sudden rate and dense traffic make these drivers particularly dangerous to motorcyclists. Drivers of larger vehicles may suddenly merge into a motorcyclists lane without looking, running the motorcyclist off the road or into another vehicle. Worse, an inattentive driver might try to merge through several lanes at once, striking the motorcyclist before he or she has time to react.
Another risk is drivers bolting out of a parking space or the pickup area trying to catch a gap in traffic and not seeing the motorcyclist. Because parents likely follow this routine several times per week, they may be used to making time saving assumptions that sacrifice safety for speed. If the street is multi-lane, a motorcyclist’s safest decision would be to use far left lane to avoid being struck by inattentive motorists.
Large Vehicles
Parents picking up their children from school often use their larger “family car,” especially when car pooling. SUV’s and minivans can be particularly hazardous to motorcyclists, especially when the driver is distracted. The taller cabin sets the driver’s field of vision above most motorcycles, making them even less conspicuous on the road. The longer bodies also leave less buffer space within their lane and extend the “footprint” of the vehicle on the road. The result is a heavier vehicle that requires more space to safely merge, leaving less room for error.
Manage the Risks
School zones are rife with risks to motorcyclists, especially when students are being picked up or dropped off. If you can, avoid them. Or, at least ride in the left lane. Try to expect the decrease in speed limit and be aware that drivers may stop suddenly or merge without warning. If you or a family member is unfortunate enough to be struck and injured by an inattentive motorist in a school zone, you will need the assistance of an experienced Arizona motorcycle attorney. An experience attorney can help you seek medical assistance, contact witnesses and handle insurance companies so you can focus on recovery.
Contact an Arizona Motorcycle Lawyer
If you have been injured while riding a motorcycle in a school zone in Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale or elsewhere in Maricopa County, it is recommended that you contact an experienced Arizona motorcycle attorney to discuss your case. For more information on motorcycle accidents in Arizona, please visit http://www.azmotorcycleaccidentlawyer.com/
European Safety Study Finds Familiar Causes for Motorcycle Accidents, http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/newsandupdates/european_motorcycle_safety_study/index.html (2009)
