Why Do “Sudden” Accidents Happen to Riders?
“So, how did it happen?”
“Man, it happened so suddenly. There was no chance to react. Even a pro rider couldn’t have avoided it…”
This is a real conversation after a crash.
But here’s the truth:
If something happens suddenly, it’s because you misjudged the situation or failed to anticipate it.
Your riding strategy? It failed.
Why Do “Sudden” Accidents Happen?
1. Blocked Visibility (The “Blocker”)
A “blocker” is anything big that cuts off your view of the road and creates space for surprises.
Examples?
- A tinted car.
- A parked truck.
- A kiosk near an intersection that hides side traffic.
Here’s an easy way to think about it:
Imagine a lion hunting an antelope. The lion hides in the bushes, waits for the antelope to get too close, then BAM—it pounces.
In traffic, that bush is your blocker. It’s the tinted car or the parked truck, and what’s hiding behind it could be your “lion”—a speeding car, a kid chasing a ball, or a cyclist you never saw.
What do you do?
You follow the principle of “Seeing Far.”
Your position on the road needs to give you maximum visibility.
If you’re forced to ride near a blocker, always assume the worst. Imagine a car or a child popping out. Be ready.
2. Speeding Through Life
Here’s another reason: riding too fast.
When you’re speeding, the environment around you changes faster than your brain can process it.
A typical example? Lane-splitting at high speeds. You’re cruising between cars, and suddenly one of them swerves into your lane. You’ve got no time to brake, no time to react.
Speed kills not because it’s inherently bad, but because it robs you of the one thing you absolutely need: time.
3. The “Human Wildcard”
Drivers are human. Humans are unpredictable.
- They forget their exit and cut across three lanes.
- They realize they need gas and make a wild U-turn through traffic.
- Or they’re just texting, drunk, or distracted.
When you’re caught off guard by this, it’s not because the driver is reckless (though they might be). It’s because you didn’t expect it. You weren’t paranoid enough. You didn’t plan for the worst.
What Can You Do?
1. Follow the “Seeing Far” Principle
- Choose positions and speeds that give you a wide-open view of the road.
- Avoid riding next to blockers like trucks, buses, or parked cars. They’re the hiding spots for surprises.
- If you can’t avoid a blocker, slow down and prepare for something—or someone—popping out.
2. Be Ready for the “Sudden”
- Don’t wear a dark visor at night.
- Use a PINLOCK insert to prevent fogging on cold mornings.
- In fog, slow down. Your visibility is everything.
3. Stay Paranoid, Stay Alive
Here’s the mindset: no one owes you anything on the road.
Not the truck driver. Not the car waiting at the intersection. Not the pedestrian.
When you assume people will break the rules, you stop getting surprised.
Instead of thinking, “This car shouldn’t cross three lanes—it’s illegal,” you think, “This car might cross three lanes. I’m ready for it.”
It’s like a game.
You’re playing “What Could Go Wrong?” and when you predict it right, it feels like winning.
4. Master the Basics
You can’t focus on predicting danger if you’re still figuring out how to brake or balance properly.
Drill your riding skills until they’re second nature. Then, all your mental energy can go into reading the road and staying safe.
5. Remember: Anger Means You Missed Something
If you find yourself yelling at a driver, guess what? That means you didn’t see it coming.
Every time you’re angry, it’s a sign you need to think even more pessimistically.
The Bottom Line
If you want to avoid “sudden” accidents, you’ve got to:
- See farther.
- Stay paranoid.
- Plan for the worst.
And when you do? You’ll ride longer, safer, and with a lot fewer close calls.
