As a motorcycle rider in New York, your likelihood of a collision may be reduced by the variety of new on-board safety technologies added to vehicles each year, even though your motorcycle does not come equipped with these features. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2014, blind-spot monitoring systems were the most widely included crash-avoidance options offered in vehicles. The American Automobile Association performed a study evaluating these BSM programs to gauge their effectiveness in preventing riders from being sideswiped by a negligent driver.

One aspect of the study focused specifically on how quickly the technology recognized a passing vehicle and alerted the driver to its presence. The passing vehicles used in the test included a full-size sedan and a motorcycle. The results indicate that when you are passing a vehicle with technology, it will take 26 percent longer for the BSM system to detect you than it would for a car. If a driver does not do a mirror and head check before making a lane change, you are at risk of a serious injury, regardless of the technology that is included to improve safety.

In addition to the technology factor, researchers discovered that there is a learning curve for drivers who are relying on the technology to detect passing vehicles. Not all systems are the same, so motorists who do not take the time to understand the program may present more of a hazard to you on the roadways than those who do not have the technology at all. This information on blind-spot monitoring systems and motorcycle safety is for educational purposes and is not intended to be taken as legal advice.