Safety training focus of motorcycle study
The Staff of Clutch and Chrome
June 18th 2008
A report coming
out of Washington DC looks to helmet use and safety training
to reduce increasing motorcycle fatalities.
The
Governors Highway Safety Association’s (GHSA) new report,
Survey of the States: Motorcycle Safety Programs, examines
the dramatic increase in motorcycle rider deaths and looks
at programs states have undertaken to keep motorcyclists
safe.
In the
report, Survey of the States: Motorcycle Safety Programs,
GHSA notes that motorcycle fatalities in 2006 increased for
the ninth straight year, more than doubling from 2,110 in
1997 to 4,810 in 2006. In fact, GHSA’s analysis of federal
data shows that motorcycle fatalities increased in 27 states
and Puerto Rico between 2005 and 2006. In 2006, 67 percent
of all motorcycle fatalities occurred in 15 states. Also
noteworthy is the fact that in 2004, 2005 and 2006 nearly
one third of all fatalities occurred in California, Texas
and Florida alone.
In 2007,
GHSA asked state highway safety agencies to complete a
survey detailing
motorcycle safety activities
designed to mitigate or reverse the annual increase in
motorcycle crashes. Fifty states plus the District of
Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico completed surveys. The report
found that:
- A
patchwork of helmet laws, scant enforcement and a lack
of helmet promotion exist despite clear evidence that
proper helmet use saves lives.
Twenty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto
Rico have universal motorcycle
helmet laws.
Twenty-seven states and Guam have laws that cover
certain riders, and three states have no motorcycle
helmet laws. In states with partial laws or without
helmet laws, most riders who died were not wearing
helmets. Only nine states and Puerto Rico indicated
special efforts to help law enforcement identify helmets
that don’t meet safety standards. Although it is widely
accepted that proper helmet use dramatically reduces the
likelihood of a fatality in a crash, only 17 states
reported special efforts to promote the benefits of
helmet use and other protective gear.
- An
explosion in motorcycle ownership has left states with
training and education shortfalls.
Motorcycle sales almost quadrupled from 1997 to 2006,
from 356,000 to almost 1.1 million. As a result, 29
states and D.C. indicated they have capacity problems
with delays ranging from one day to 12 weeks for
training classes. Only three states, Florida, Maine and
Rhode Island require rider education for all riders,
regardless of age.
-
Motorcycle licensing requirements vary widely.
Across the country, the minimum age for a motorcycle
license/endorsement ranges from 14 to 18. Unlike
automobile drivers, motorcyclists in at least 33 states
may have licensing tests waived for completion of a
rider training course.
- Many
motorcyclists ride without valid licenses.
In 2006, 25 percent of operators in fatal motorcycle
crashes did not have a valid
motorcycle license,
compared to 13 percent of drivers of passenger vehicles.
- Road
construction issues are addressed in only a few states.
Although motorcycle riders and their passengers are
vulnerable to hazardous road conditions, only 21 states
and Puerto Rico currently consider motorcycle issues in
road construction projects.
-
Funding shortfalls are commonplace.
Only 24 states reported that user fees alone support
their motorcycle safety/education efforts. In 18 states,
programs are supported by a combination of one or more
of the following: user fees, dedicated state funding and
federal grants. Three states only use federal money.
According to
GHSA Chairman Christopher J. Murphy, “This report is the
most complete effort to date that examines how states are
dealing with the problem of motorcycle safety. Clearly, more
work must be done.” Murphy adds that the timing of the
report is key given that Congress will be soon be
reauthorizing surface transportation programs, including
those funding motorcycle safety.
“We know
that we need more funding and also greater flexibility with
those funds to promote countermeasures that clearly work,
such as helmet use.”
Murphy also
says this report serves as a reminder to share the road,
particularly as we start the summer driving season. “While
the large majority of motorcycle crashes are single vehicle,
other vehicles are a factor in 40 percent of all fatal
motorcycle crashes, so this is an issue that impacts us
all.”
Tips for
sharing the road with motorcycles are available
online. |
