Video captures moment of impact in truck-vs-motorcycle crash

IDAHO FALLS — A motorcyclist suffered non-life-threatening injuries Wednesday night when a pickup struck the bike.

The collision was captured by a doorbell camera submitted by an EastIdahoNews.com reader.

The Idaho Falls Police Department responded to 17th Street and Emerson Avenue at 8:40 p.m. after a report of a crash.

According to police, a red 2017 Nissan Frontier was stopped on Emerson and tried to enter 17th Street, entering the path of the oncoming motorcycle, which was westbound on 17th.

The pickup broadsided the motorcycle, throwing the motorcyclist into the street. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet and protective gear.

From The Idaho Driver’s Handbook

MOTORCYCLES

Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other highway users, and they must obey the same traffic laws.

Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than cars. They’re easily hidden in a car’s blind spot. Because it may be hard to judge the distance to motorcycles, or to tell how fast they are moving, be alert to their presence and be extra cautious.

Approximately one-half of all motorcycle crashes involve another motor vehicle, so it is important to practice safe driving in order to help avoid collisions.

Here are some situations that call for special attention when motorcycles are around:

• Left Turns: Cars turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle cause serious motor vehicle crashes. Drivers may fail to see a motorcycle rider in the traffic scene. Or a driver may fail to judge the speed of an oncoming motorcycle. As a driver, the correct precaution is for you to look and then look again. Make sure you see the motorcycle and know its speed before you make a left turn.
• Turn Signals: Most motorcycles do not have turn signals that turn off automatically. At times, motorcycle riders may forget to switch the signal off. Before you make a turn in front of a motorcycle with a signal flashing, be sure the motorcycle is turning and not continuing straight into your path.
• Lanes: Motorcycles are entitled to the same full-lane width as all other motor vehicles. Good motorcycle riders are constantly changing positions within the lane so they can see and be seen, and to avoid objects in the road. Never move into the same lane alongside a motorcycle, even if the lane is wide and the motorcycle rider is riding far to one side.
• Bad Weather: Weather conditions and slippery surfaces can be serious problems for motorcycles. Allow even more following room when it’s raining, or the road surface is slick.
• Road Surface: Unusual road surfaces and irregularities on the road that may not affect other vehicles may create problems for motorcycles. Gravel, debris, pavement seams, small animals, and even manhole covers may force a motorcycle rider to change speed or direction.
• Visibility: Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic or an intersection. Motorcycle riders are often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick look, due to their smaller size. Always use turn signals and brake lights to signal your intentions for turning, changing lanes, merging, slowing and stopping. This allows the motorcycle rider to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position. Allow more than three (3) seconds following distance between your vehicle and the motorcycle. This allows you and the motorcycle rider enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.

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