Riding a motorcycle is statistically more dangerous than driving a car. Motorcyclists are at greater risk of injury during accidents and are more likely to be involved in crashes caused by road and environmental hazards, such as potholes, debris in the road, or slick surfaces.

These hazards exist year-round for motorcyclists but become even more common in winter. Ice forming on roads increases everyone’s risk of crashing, but especially motorcyclists. And when it forms on bridges, that risk increases even more.

In this blog, we look into why the combination of ice and bridges is so dangerous for riders and how you can stay safe when riding across bridges during the coldest months of the year.

4 Facts Riders Should Know About Ice and Bridges

Motorcyclists should be especially cautious about ice forming on bridges along their route because of several unique factors of these stretches of roadway that can increase the risk of a crash:

1. Bridges Freeze Before Other Parts of the Road

Bridges and overpasses freeze faster than regular road surfaces. This is because they are exposed to cold air from both above and below, allowing them to cool quicker and form ice, even when the rest of the road appears clear. Many motorists are surprised when they hit patches of ice on bridges after not encountering any on other stretches of road.

In addition to freezing more quickly than other surfaces, bridges can also ice over if moisture on the bridge’s surface from fog, rain, or humidity freezes from the wind, even when the surrounding air temperature is slightly above freezing. 

2. Metal and Concrete Surface Bridges May Be Slicker than Asphalt

Metal is an efficient conductor of heat, but this also causes it to lose warmth faster when temperatures drop. This quick cooling means metal bridges freeze faster than other surfaces. In addition, metal’s smooth, non-porous surface means that moisture doesn’t absorb into the material, allowing water to spread evenly across the surface and freeze quickly.

Concrete also loses heat faster than asphalt because of its higher thermal conductivity, although not as quickly as metal. Because of this, concrete bridges cool down quickly and become slick in freezing conditions. Like metal, concrete is less porous than asphalt, which means more moisture remains on the surface, increasing the risk of ice formation.

3. Bridges Often Lack Pull-Over Areas

Bridges often lack shoulders or safe places to pull over if you start skidding on ice. It’s also more difficult for motorcyclists to steer around ice if they spot it in front of them while on a bridge. With little to no room to maneuver, motorcyclists may face a greater risk of accidents or collisions when riding on bridges during the winter.

This risk is compounded when riding during peak traffic times, such as morning and evening rush hour. When traffic is heavy, motorcyclists often have even less room to maneuver on bridges.

4. Other Drivers May Lose Control and Strike Them

Even when motorcyclists can safely navigate the dangers of bridges during winter, other drivers may not fare as well. The biggest risk motorcyclists face on Oklahoma’s roads is other drivers. When other drivers lose control of their vehicles, motorcyclists can be seriously injured or even killed.

Bridges are dangerous places for motorcyclists when other drivers lose control. Because they’re often smaller and more constrained than regular stretches of road, motorcyclists’ options for evasive maneuvers are limited. Bridges also usually lack lane dividers, which increases their chances of being hit head-on by drivers traveling in the opposite direction who have lost control of their vehicles.

How Can You Reduce Your Risk of an Accident on a Bridge?

Here are a few steps to take that can reduce your risk of being involved in a motorcycle crash caused by an iced-over bridge during the winter:

• Put Away Your Motorcycle Until the Warmer Months: If you have access to a car, pickup truck, or SUV, consider driving it during the winter instead of your motorcycle. Although iced-over bridges still pose risks to passenger vehicles, they’re more likely to maintain traction than motorcycles when driven over patches of ice.
• Take a Different Route: Avoid bridges whenever possible during winter riding. Because bridges can unexpectedly freeze even when temperatures are slightly above freezing, it’s often safer to avoid them whenever you can.
• Reduce Your Speed: If you can’t avoid a bridge on your drive, slow down to reduce your risks. Reducing your speed gives you a better chance to spot ice on the road ahead and reduces the impact it will have on your steering and control of your bike if you drive over a patch.
• Be Prepared to Encounter Ice: If the temperature outside is or was recently freezing (32°F) or below, there’s a good chance any bridges you cross will have patches of ice. However, you should prepare for the possibility of ice even at temperatures as high as 40°F, especially early in the morning or during the evening when sunlight isn’t warming the bridge and winds may cause bridge surface temperatures to drop.  

Contact Our Oklahoma City Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation

Riders face enough risks as-is during the winter. Unfortunately, other people’s negligence can increase those risks and even result in severe accidents and injuries.

If you or someone you love was injured because of another person’s or party’s negligence while riding your motorcycle during the winter or any other time of year, the Oklahoma City motorcycle accident attorneys at Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers want to help.

We can hold the at-fault party liable for your damages, whether it was another driver, a trucker, or even those responsible for dangerous road conditions. Contact us today for a free consultation.