Error when joining a road
Collision with oncoming traffic
Sequence of events:
On a section of bridge, a motorcyclist lost control of his vehicle when joining a federal highway, veering out of his lane and into oncoming traffic. A group of three motorcycles were coming toward him from the opposite direction. The left side of the motorcycle that was on the wrong side of the road grazed against the first oncoming motorcycle. Following this contact, both motorcycles and their riders fell to the ground. The second motorcyclist in the group collided with the motorcycle sliding toward him on the ground, and also fell off. The last motorcyclist in the group braked his vehicle hard. As a result of this, the front wheel locked and this motorcyclist also fell to the ground.
On a section of bridge, a motorcyclist lost control of his vehicle when joining a federal highway, veering out of his lane and into oncoming traffic. A group of three motorcycles were coming toward him from the opposite direction. The left side of the motorcycle that was on the wrong side of the road grazed against the first oncoming motorcycle. Following this contact, both motorcycles and their riders fell to the ground. The second motorcyclist in the group collided with the motorcycle sliding toward him on the ground, and also fell off. The last motorcyclist in the group braked his vehicle hard. As a result of this, the front wheel locked and this motorcyclist also fell to the ground.
Persons involved in the accident:
Four motorcyclists
Four motorcyclists
Consequences/injuries:
The rider of the motorcycle that veered into the oncoming traffic and the first motorcyclist in the group traveling in the opposite direction were severely injured in the grazing collision and their subsequent fall to the ground. The two other motorcyclists in the group suffered minor injuries when falling to the ground.
The rider of the motorcycle that veered into the oncoming traffic and the first motorcyclist in the group traveling in the opposite direction were severely injured in the grazing collision and their subsequent fall to the ground. The two other motorcyclists in the group suffered minor injuries when falling to the ground.
Cause/problem:
The accident was caused by a driving error on the part of the motorcyclist who left his lane. This motorcyclist accelerated too strongly when joining the federal highway, which resulted in him losing control of his vehicle and no longer being able to maintain his course, and thus ultimately veering into oncoming traffic.
The accident was caused by a driving error on the part of the motorcyclist who left his lane. This motorcyclist accelerated too strongly when joining the federal highway, which resulted in him losing control of his vehicle and no longer being able to maintain his course, and thus ultimately veering into oncoming traffic.
Avoidance measures, mitigation of consequences/ strategy for road safety measures:
The accident could have been prevented if the motorcyclist had accelerated much less when joining the federal highway, which would have enabled him to retain control of his motorcycle. Due to their high power and low weight, motorcycles often possess a very high acceleration capability. A lot of experience and a good feel for the correct amount to open the throttle is required. Electronic driving assistants and motorcycle safety training may have been able to prevent the motorcyclist from losing control of his vehicle and causing the accident.
The accident could have been prevented if the motorcyclist had accelerated much less when joining the federal highway, which would have enabled him to retain control of his motorcycle. Due to their high power and low weight, motorcycles often possess a very high acceleration capability. A lot of experience and a good feel for the correct amount to open the throttle is required. Electronic driving assistants and motorcycle safety training may have been able to prevent the motorcyclist from losing control of his vehicle and causing the accident.