Top 3 factors in Motorcycle Traffic Fatalities

[burkbuilds]

I had to write a research paper for English Composition class last year, this was my topic, hope it makes you think about eliminating the top three from your life, ride safe, ride long.


Major Factors in Motorcycle Traffic Fatalities
One of the most widely held beliefs about motorcycle safety is that wearing a helmet has the greatest impact on motorcycle traffic fatalities. Unfortunately, this popular, simple solution is not supported by the statistics which show motorcyclists killed in accidents in 2006 were wearing a helmet 57.4% of the time (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], Traffic safety facts 2006, 2008). This is almost exactly the estimated percentage of riders who wear helmets overall, 58% (Houston, D.J., and Richardson, L.E., 2004). Since motorcyclists are killed at a rate of more than 16 times that of automobile drivers per million miles traveled (NHTSA, Action plan to reduce motorcycle fatalities, 2007), prevention of accidents should be the major focus of efforts to save motorcyclists lives. The three leading factors in motorcycle traffic fatalities are alcohol use, speeding, and a lack of proper licensing (NHTSA, Recent trends in fatal motorcycle crashes, 2001).

Elevated blood alcohol levels were recorded in 61% of fatal motorcycle crashes in 2006 (NHTSA, Traffic safety facts 2006, 2008). As far back as 1977, reports of high blood alcohol concentrations were being noted in traffic accidents involving motorcycles. One small study of fatal crashes in Maryland found 72 of 102 operators had a measurable blood alcohol level, with 50% meeting the then legal standard of 0.10 for being drunk (Baker, S.P., and Fisher, R.S., 1977). Considering the essential need for balance, quick reflexes, and sound decision making necessary to avoid accidents, it should not be surprising that an elevated blood alcohol level is the major contributing factor in multi-vehicle motorcycle fatalities. Even in single vehicle fatal motorcycle crashes, which make up approximately 45% of all fatal motorcycle accidents, over 42 percent of the operators who died in 1999 were intoxicated (NHTSA, Fatal single vehicle motorcycle crashes, 2001). Alcohol use increases the chance of being in a fatal motorcycle accident more than any other factor and is the highest contributing factor in all types of motorcycle accidents.

Although alcohol use is number one among contributing factors to motorcycle crash fatalities, speeding is the second leading factor. 41% of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding. That is more than double the rate for drivers of passenger cars or light trucks. This statistic holds true whether the crash involves multiple vehicles or a single vehicle. (NHTSA, Fatal single vehicle motorcycle crashes, 2001). Taking into account other criteria, such as single vehicle fatalities involving nighttime driving, the percent of deaths associated with speeding climbs to 60 percent (NHTSA, Fatal single vehicle motorcycle crashes, 2001). As any experienced rider will testify, quick maneuvers at high speeds can cause a loss of control beyond recovery, whether that involves hard braking, steering to avoid an obstacle, or striking an uneven surface that may cause the bike to bounce or change direction suddenly. “Speed Kills” is even truer for motorcycles than cars!

After the use of alcohol and speeding, a lack of proper licensing shows up as the third most common factor cited among motorcycle traffic fatalities, 24%(NHTSA , Fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes, 2007). Although it may be obvious how alcohol and speeding contribute to these numbers, it is less apparent how the lack of proper licensing contributes. Gaining proper licensing to operate a motorcycle in most states requires the applicant to take and pass a written test ensuring a basic understanding of road rules and the unique dangers that a motorcyclist may encounter while riding. The state of Georgia, for instance, will issue a learners permit for those passing the written test. This permit allows operators to practice driving up to six months with some stipulations, which are designed to insulate learners from some of the more challenging driving situations. They are not allowed to drive after dark, on the interstate highway system, or to carry passengers until they have passed a road test. Most states require passing a road test that demonstrates basic skills such as hard braking without loss of control, steering to avoid an obstacle, and the ability to stay inside of designated lanes in a curved section of roadway. Some states even require passing a motorcycle safety course before you can obtain a license. These stipulations help to insure that operators of motorcycles have received basic education and passed minimal skills tests that can help prevent them from being in an accident. A good example for the need of proper training comes from my cousin “Ken,” a safe car driver for over 40 years, who decided to purchase a brand new motorcycle. Although he has never ridden before, he did not seek proper licensing or any training before purchasing the bike. He bought the motorcycle, jumped on, cranked it up, drove out of the Harley dealer’s parking lot straight across the street and crashed into the ditch. Fortunately, he only injured his pride and the front wheel of the bike. The point is, he was not properly licensed, had received no training, and subsequently was involved in an accident within his first minute of riding. A few weekends spent at a motorcycle safety training class should enable him to obtain proper licensing, and more importantly, gain the skills necessary to drive safely and avoid future accidents.

Many other factors contribute to the fatality rates of motorcycle riders, but alcohol use, speeding, and proper training are the three that not only contribute to the most fatalities, they are also factors controllable by the operator. There is very little that can be done to limit injury to the motorcyclist in a collision. The truth is, in a high speed motorcycle accident, serious injury or fatality is the most likely outcome no matter what protective gear is worn. As two researchers noted, “…if you were in an airplane plummeting towards the ground from 30,000 feet, whether or not you buckled your seatbelt would be relatively meaningless to your odds of surviving the crash” (Stolzenberg, L., and D’Alessio, S. J., 2003, p. 145). Don’t drink and drive, slow down, take a motorcycle safety class, and enjoy many years of accident free motorcycle riding.
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References
Baker, S.P., & Fisher R.S. (1977). Alcohol and motorcycle fatalities. American Journal of Public Health 67(3), 246-249.

Houston, D. J., & Richardson, L.E. (2004). Motorcycle safety and the repeal of universal helmet laws. American Journal of Public Health, 97(11) 2063-2069

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2008). Traffic safety facts 2006. DOT-HS-810-818. Retrieved August 25, 2008, from http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/ncsa

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2007). Fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes. DOT-HS-810-834. Retrieved August 31, 2008, from http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/ncsa

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2007) Action plan to reduce motorcycle fatalities. DOT-HS-810-855. Retrieved August 25, 2008, from http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2001). Fatal single vehicle motorcycle crashes. DOT-HS-809-360. Retrieved August 31, 2008, from http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/pubs

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2001). Recent trends in fatal motorcycle crashes. DOT-HS-809-271. Retrieved August 31, 2008, from http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/pubs

Stolzenberg, L., & D’Alessio, S.J. (2003). Born to be wild. Evaluation Review 27(2), 131-150.