Is it Safer to Ride a Motorcycle at Night or During the Day?

Motorbike accidents are becoming too common nowadays, so you need to be extra careful, especially at night. Now the question arises, is it safer to ride a motorcycle at night or during the day? 

Most crashes happen at night, especially when riders are riding at high speed in the night. It may be because of loss of vision, sleeping issues, or any extrinsic factors such as drunk and driving cases. And that’s why experts recommend riding motorbikes defensively at night. 

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about motorcycle riding at night. 

Is it Safer to Ride a Motorcycle at Night or During the Day? 

Motorbike accidents are too common, especially at night, so you need to be extra careful at night. Now the question arises, is it safer to ride a motorcycle at night or during the day? 

Most crashes happen at night, especially when riding at high speed. It may be because of loss of vision, sleeping issues, or any extrinsic factors such as drunk and driving cases. And that’s why experts recommend riding motorbikes defensively at night. 

You can also modify your motorbike jacket to reduce the chance of being crashed at night. 

What’re Some Reasons for Motorbike Crash at Night? 

So far, you have learned that most motorbike crashes are likely to happen at night. Now the question arises, what’re some reasons for motorbike crashes at night? 

Here’re some top reasons why most motorbike accidents happen at night.

Some Reasons behind Motorbike Crashes? Details: 
Drunk and driving Drunk driving is the most prominent and common cause of motorbike crashes at night. According to NHTSA, every minute, one person is killed in a motorbike accident at night just because of intoxication. 
Falling asleep According to the CDC, 4% of adults fall asleep when driving in the previous 30 days, which can increase the chance of a crash at night.
High speedBecause of low traffic at night, the riders ride the motorbike at high speed, making it highly dangerous especially when taking a sharp turn.  
Low visibility Low visibility or vision loss creates a barrier for riders to make a proper judgment which may lead to motorbike accidents. Even some riders who don’t make themself visible enough could be the reason behind significant motorbike accidents. 
Table Explaining Some Reasons Behind Motorbike Crashes.

Drunk and Driving: 

Drunk driving is the most prominent and common cause of motorbike crashes at night. According to NHTSA, every minute, one person is killed in a motorbike accident at night just because of intoxication. 

You can read the complete study by clicking here.

And that’s why you must avoid alcohol before riding the motorbike at night. 

Falling Asleep: 

After drinking and driving, falling asleep while riding is the most common reason behind most crashes happening at night. 

According to the CDC, 4% of adults fall asleep when driving in the previous 30 days, which can increase the chance of a crash at night.

You can read the complete study by clicking here.  

High Speed: 

Indeed, falling asleep can be the reason behind the motorbike accident, but to some extent, there are riders’ mistakes behind the motorbike crash at night, and high speed is one of them.

Because of low traffic at night, the riders ride the motorbike at high speed, making it highly dangerous, especially when taking a sharp turn.  

And that’s why experts never come riding at high speed you can’t control. 

Low Visibility: 

So far, you understand that high speed can be the reason behind motorbike crashes at night. But do you know that low visibility is also one of the reasons behind significant motorbike accidents?

Low visibility or vision loss creates a barrier for riders to make a proper judgment which may lead to motorbike accidents. Even some riders who don’t make themself visible enough could be the reason behind significant motorbike accidents. 

How to Reduce the Chance of Being Crashed? 

So far, you understand why there are more crash cases at night than in the morning. Now the question arises, how to reduce the chance of crashing? 

Here Are some ways to reduce yourself from being involved in a motorcycle crash. 

How to Reduce the Chance of Being Crashed? Details: 
Avoid intoxication. Let your friend drop by your location if you’re drunk and have lack the confidence to ride the motorbike on the highway. 
Avoid overspeeding Riding the motorbike at the appropriate speed lets you control the motorbike easily, especially when taking a sharp turn. 
Present yourselfIt’s advisable always to wear light-colored motorbike jackets, which will help you to present yourself to other riders riding on highways. You can also install reflective tape on your motorbike, which will help your motorbike to be easily visible to other riders. 
Table Explaining Some Ways to Reduce the Chances of Being Crashed.

Avoid Intoxication: 

Indeed we can’t force someone to avoid drinking before riding the motorbike, but we can certainly prevent drinking before riding at night. 

Or better yet, let your friend drop by your location if you’re already drunk and don’t have enough confidence to ride the motorbike on the highway. 

Avoid Overspeeding: 

I can understand how it feels to ride a motorbike on an empty highway and the urge to ride a motorbike at a higher speed. Riding the motorbike at the appropriate speed lets you control the motorbike easily, especially when taking a sharp turn. 

Present Yourself: 

Indeed avoiding overspeeding can protect you from severe accidents, but presenting yourself on dark highways can also protect you from severe accidents. 

It’s advisable always to wear light-colored motorbike jackets, which will help you to present yourself to other riders riding on highways. You can also install reflective tape on your motorbike, which will help your motorbike to be easily visible to other riders. 

Should You Avoid Riding a Motorbike at Night? 

So far, you understand how you protect yourself from being crushed at night. Now the question arises, should you avoid riding a motorbike at night? 

If it’s not urgent, you should surely avoid riding the motorbike at night unless it’s too critical or you don’t have enough precautionary steps to make you safe. However, you can ride the motorbike easily at night with all precautions if it’s urgent. 

Don’t forget to avoid drinking before riding the motorbike, and always try to present yourself on the highways. 

Also, read my previous post where I discussed whether the motorbike gears help to protect you from severe injuries during accident or not, and what’re some gears which you need to add in your buying list to protect yourself from injuries, CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Should you avoid riding a motorbike at night? 

If it’s not urgent, you should surely avoid riding the motorbike at night unless it’s too critical or you don’t have enough precautionary steps to make you safe. However, you can ride the motorbike easily at night with all precautions if it’s urgent. 

Why presenting yourself is crucial when riding the motorbike at the night?

It’s advisable always to wear light-colored motorbike jackets, which will help you to present yourself to other riders riding on highways. You can also install reflective tape on your motorbike, which will help your motorbike to be easily visible to other riders. 

How low visibility can be the main reason behind most motorbike crashes?

Low visibility or vision loss creates a barrier for riders to make a proper judgment which may lead to motorbike accidents. Even some riders who don’t make themself visible enough could be the reason behind significant motorbike accidents. 

Why do some riders ride motorbikes at the high speed at the night?

Because of low traffic at night, the riders ride the motorbike at high speed, making it highly dangerous, especially when tracking the sharp turn.  

Is drinking and driving a serious concern?

Drunk driving is the most prominent and common cause of motorbike crashes at night. According to NHTSA, every minute, one person is killed in a motorbike accident at night just because of intoxication. 

Final Verdict: 

Is it safer to ride a motorcycle at night or during the day? Most crashes happen at night, especially when riders are riding at high speed in the night. It may be because of loss of vision, sleeping issues, or any extrinsic factors such as drunk and driving cases. And that’s why experts recommend riding motorbikes defensively at night. 

I’ve also mentioned some steps to make yourself safe when riding the motorbike at night. Don’t drink and drive; make sure you present yourself to other riders well on the highway.