How to deal with news stories of motorcycle accidents

[psychprof]

Had a great ride today. It was kind of short, 50 miles, but it was a nice ride.

I got home and checked my phone. I have a Google news app on my phone that pops up new stories of a topic that you tell it to follow. I follow the topic of “motorcycles”. The good news is that there are the occasional interesting articles.

However, almost every day there is a new story of a fatal motorcycle accident. It’s a bit unnerving and unsettling for a fairly new rider (about a year for me). I had a great ride, but seeing this is a buzzkill.

Does anyone experience a similar thing?

Sometimes the article shares some details of the accident, such as speed or alcohol were factor, or the rider didn’t wear a helmet. However, an unsettling number of them say the rider just lost control of the bike and the rider either hit a guardrail or a car.

Besides the obvious move of removing the app from my phone, does anyone have tips on managing this? Anyone feel similarly?

[Megadan]

Most of it is within your control. Dont ride tired or inebriated, don't ride at silly speeds, adjust for the conditions and your surroundings, and keep your awareness up.

[JerryHawk250]

I've been riding for over 45 years. My one and only accident was when I was 18 and was because I was acting the fool. I learned the hard way on respecting the bike. Megadan pretty much covered it. Don't play Evil Knievel and you'll be okay.

[2LZ]

Being an old MX'er, I've crashed a million times. The times I wrecked on the street were usually because I was young, bullet-proof and 10 feet tall back then and rode very aggressively, all the time. I beat myself up a lot but I find the fatalities are usually involving other vehicles.
Fortunately when I rode like a little moron, it was in the country. No city traffic or freeways.

[dpl096]

I believe some fear builds respect for our collective 2wheeled mania....however.. Like others, since I've gotten older I don't ride when I'm tired or to terribly burdened by bullshit that might cloud my awareness....and always always ride like I'm invisible. Common sense will cover you most of the time but just like driving a car...there's always some damn fool that....well....is a damn fool.