According to the United States Department of Transportation the number of motorcycle fatalities has been increasing steadily since 1997, and in 2006, motorcycle rider fatalities exceeded the number of pedestrian fatalities for the first time since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began collecting fatal motor vehicle crash data in 1975.

The majority of motorcycle accidents involve collisions between a motorcycle and a car, and happen at intersections.  Motorcyclists are trained to honk their horn if other drivers do not appear to be aware of them. Motorcycles can easily be in a motor vehicle’s blind spot at intersections, requiring extra caution when making turns.

When sharing the road with motorcycles, keep the following safety guidelines in mind:

• It is easy for a cyclist to lose control when sand, gravel, wet leaves or even water is on the pavement. Be aware of conditions that may cause a motorcyclist to drive erratically or fall.
• You must change lanes and pass a motorcycle in the same manner as you would a larger motor vehicle.
• When passing a motorcycle leave enough room so your vehicle’s wind stream does not cause the rider to lose control.

 

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is working hard to keep cyclists safe on the road.  They encourage bikers to dress for safety and visibility, and to give motorists sufficient space for maneuvering as needed.  They realize that both bikers and motorists share the responsibility for helping to lower the occurrence of accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that motorcycle helmet use is 37% effective in preventing motorcycle fatalities.  This means that for every 100 non-helmet wearing motorcyclists that died in an accident, 37 of them would have lived had they all been wearing a helmet.  Helmet laws vary from state to state.

In 2007, 20 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico required helmet use by all motorcyclists. Other states required motorcycle drivers under the age of 18 to use helmets or had no helmet requirement.  Missouri has a mandatory helmet law requiring helmets for all motorcyclists, whereas Illinois does not require helmets.

Motorcycle Statistics

• In 2007, 7 percent more motorcyclists died in accidents in the United States than in 2006.  5,154 motorcyclists died in 2007 versus 4,837 motorcyclists in 2006.
• During 2007 there were 103,000 motorcyclists injured in accidents
• Missouri motorcycle fatalities for 2007 were 84 of which 79% were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
• Illinois motorcycle fatalities for 2007 were 142 of which only 19% were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
• Motorcyclists are about 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash, and 8 times more likely to be injured in an accident (per vehicle mile).
• 38% of the Missouri motorcycle accidents involved alcohol, while 46% of the motorcycle accidents in Illinois involved alcohol.

 

Sources:

Missouri Driver’s Handbook

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Motorcycle Safety Foundation

More Information:

• Motorcycle Accidents