In New Hampshire, motorcycles are a favorite choice for many thanks to their fuel efficiency, maneuverability, and the incredible sense of freedom they offer along our scenic highways and roads. However, motorcyclists often remain vulnerable despite these benefits because other drivers fail to see them. This issue—where motorcycles are effectively “invisible” or hard to spot—leads to numerous accidents and seriously impacts rider safety and public awareness. Understanding why motorcyclists are difficult to see and addressing these challenges is crucial to making New Hampshire’s roads safer for everyone.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in New Hampshire, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other losses. Contact the New Hampshire personal injury lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. Call us today at 888-511-1010 or online for a free consultation. We represent clients throughout New Hampshire, including Brookline, Exeter, Portsmouth, and beyond. Let us help you receive the fair and full compensation they deserve.
Visual Processing Issues
Motorcycles often aren’t seen on the road because of multiple visual processing issues–entirely normal–that occur in the brain. For example, we often experience “inattentional blindness.” This phenomenon occurs when people fail to notice fully visible objects because their attention is focused on other tasks or objects. Why does this happen? The brain constantly prioritizes information to avoid overworking itself and tends to discard information perceived as non-threatening.
For drivers, this means that although a motorcycle may be within view, they may not consciously “see” it because they aren’t actively looking for motorcycles. Studies show that drivers often focus on detecting other cars and larger vehicles simply because these are the most common objects on the road. This selective attention can leave smaller, less frequent objects like motorcycles overlooked.
This effect is heightened when drivers experience “peripheral blindness.” This form of so-called blindness is the tendency to see but not focus on objects outside the center of their visual field. Because motorcycles are less common and less prominent than other vehicles, they often fall into these peripheral blind spots, making them even more challenging for drivers to spot quickly.
Saccadic masking is another visual processing issue that makes motorcycles difficult to spot on the road. It occurs when the brain temporarily blocks visual processing during rapid eye movements (“saccades”) to avoid visual blurring as the eyes sweep across a scene. Saccadic masking can affect motorcyclists’ visibility in traffic because when drivers glance left or right at intersections, the brain temporarily suppresses visual information. If a motorcycle is in the line of sight during a saccade, it can go unnoticed due to this brief “visual blackout.”
The Size and Visibility Factor
Motorcycles are significantly smaller than cars, SUVs, and trucks. Their compact size makes them easily obscured by other vehicles, roadside objects, and even shadows. Unlike larger vehicles that occupy an entire lane and are more prominent in a driver’s field of vision, motorcycles can blend into the background or disappear in a blind spot. A motorcyclist riding next to a large vehicle or close to the curb may be nearly invisible to someone checking their mirrors or making a quick glance.
This issue is particularly concerning at intersections, where many motorcycle accidents occur. Drivers may overlook motorcycles approaching intersections because they are conditioned to look for the larger bulk of other cars. When the motorcyclist is partially obscured or moving quickly through the intersection, drivers may only realize there’s a motorcycle there once it’s too late.
Tips to Improve Motorcyclist Safety
Given these visibility challenges, both motorcyclists and drivers can take steps to improve safety:
Motorcyclists: Wearing bright, reflective clothing can make a significant difference. Positioning yourself in the lane so you are more likely to be seen in a driver’s mirrors or line of sight, especially when approaching intersections, can also help. Using hand and electronic signals, keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, and always riding with headlights illuminated can improve visibility.
Drivers: Actively look for motorcyclists, especially at intersections and when changing lanes. Remember to check blind spots thoroughly and keep distractions to a minimum. Increase following distance behind motorcycles, as they can stop more quickly than cars, and be mindful that their small size makes it hard to judge their speed and distance accurately.
New Hampshire Personal Injury Attorneys Are Here to Help
Motorcycle accidents can result in extensive and expensive injuries that can take years to recover from fully, if at all. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Call the experienced New Hampshire personal injury lawyers of Tenn And Tenn, P.A. We have helped countless injured New Hampshire residents fight for the compensation they deserve. Based in Manchester, we represent clients throughout the entire state, from Alstead to Windham. Contact us today at 888-511-1010 or online for your free evaluation.