Motorcycle Safety in the United States

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Motorcycle Safety in the United States
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A Growing Safety Problem

• Motorcyclist fatalities have increased 127
  percent for past 9 years, from 2,116
  in 1997 to 4,810 in 2006
• Accounting for 11 of total highway fatalities.
  An increase from 5 in 1997
• Motorcycle registrations increased 75 during
  same time period

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Motorcycle Fatality Demographic Trends

• Younger (20-29) riders continue to account for
  the highest number of fatalities.
• However, riders over 40 have seen the greatest
  increases in fatalities from 1997 to 2006.

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Increase of Motorcycle Fatalities by Age

• lt 20 42 Increase
• 20-29 86 Increase
• 30-39 80 Increase
• 40-49 172 Increase
• 50-59 307 Increase
• gt 59 280 Increase

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Motorcyclist Fatalities

• Impaired Riding
• In fatal crashes in 2006, a higher percentage of
  motorcycle operators (27) had a BAC of .08 or
  higher than operators of any other type of motor
  vehicle. (41 in single vehicle crashes)
• Fifty-nine percent of motorcycle operators who
  died in single-vehicle crashes on weekend nights
  in 2006 had BAC levels of .08 or higher.

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Motorcyclist Fatalities

• Licensing
• One out of four motorcycle operators involved in
  fatal crashes in 2006 were operating their
  vehicles with invalid licenses at the time of the
  collision, while only 13 percent of drivers of
  passenger vehicles in fatal crashes did not have
  valid licenses.

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Motorcyclist Fatalities

• Helmet Use
• Helmets are estimated to be 37 effective in
  preventing fatal injuries to motorcyclists. 752
  more lives might have been saved in 2006 if all
  motorcyclists had worn helmets.
• Helmet use declined by from 71 in 2000 to 51 in
  2006 a striking 70 increase in nonuse.

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Motorcycle Safety Activities

• Motorcycle Safety Plans
• National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety
• U.S. Department of Transportation Action Plan to
  Reduce Motorcycle Fatalities

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Motorcycle Vehicle Research

• Conspicuity
• Braking
• Helmets
• A-pillar Obscuration

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Vehicle EquipmentCountermeasure Strategies

• United States voted for establishment of the
  global technical resolution (GTR) on motorcycle
  brakes for the UN1998 Global Assessment for the
  Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations.
• NHTSA plans to publish rule to amend the Federal
  Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) based on
  the GTR in FFY2008.
• NHTSA is amending FMVSS No. 218, Motorcycle
  Helmets, to address the falsification of helmet
  certifications by manufacturers.

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Behavioral Research

• Crash Causation Pilot Study
• Motorcycle Operator Experience Study
• Effects of Alcohol on Motorcycle Riding Skills
• Expert Panel on Rider Training
• Role of Over-riding Sight Distance in Crashes

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BehavioralCountermeasure Strategies

• Rider Training
• Demonstration Grant
• National Standard for Rider Education
• Section 2010 Grant Program
• Licensing
• Releasing the updated Motorcycle Operator
  Licensing Guidelines to assist States in
  designing, implementing, and maintaining State
  motorcycle licensing systems and integrating
  rider training programs.

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BehavioralCountermeasure Strategies

• Impaired Riding
• Focus Group Research
• Ride Straight Campaign
• Demonstration Project
• Riders Helping Riders
• Integrating Motorcycles in Impaired Driving
  Crackdowns
• Creating and posting an online planner
  addressing impaired motorcycling
• DWI Detection Cues
• Law Enforcement Training

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BehavioralCountermeasure Strategies

• Helmets and Protective Gear
• Helmet promotion PSAs
• Website Video Clip on how to select the right
  helmet and identify a non-compliant helmet
• Motorist Awareness
• Motorists Awareness Campaign
• Materials

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BehavioralCountermeasure Strategies

• Hosting quarterly meetings with representatives
  of national motorcycle organizations,
  manufacturers, and related safety groups to share
  planned activities and coordinate efforts.
• Conduct State Motorcycle Safety Program
  Assessments to assess state programs and provide
  recommendations on how to strengthen them.

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InfrastructureCountermeasure Strategies

• Established Motorcyclist Advisory Council tasked
  with giving advice to DOT regarding a range of
  infrastructure-related topics of importance to
  motorcycle safety.
• Emphasizing the importance of recognizing the
  needs of motorcyclists during all phases of
  highway project implementation.
• Released brochure, Roadway Safety for
  Motorcycles, containing tips for designing,
  constructing, and maintaining roadways for
  increased motorcycle safety.

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