As the weather is getting warmer, many people will be taking to the open road on their motorcycles. Since the Month of
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, your friends at
http://GoLaw.com and
MyMotorcycleCrash.com have put together a few Tips about how to stay safe out there on the road.
Whether you drive a Honda or a Harley, a street bike or a road bike (or a street legal dirt bike), it is always important to
remain alert and drive defensively. The
Motorcycle Driving Safety page on the NHTSA website reminds motorists “
to safely ‘share the road’ with motorcycles and to be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe. Motorcyclists are reminded to make themselves visible to other motorists… (and) to always ride smart and sober.”
Motorcycle Fatality Statistics
A June 2014
study on Motorcycle Traffic Safety by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that:
- “In 2012, 4,957 motorcyclists were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes—an increase of 7% from the 4,630 motorcyclists killed in 2011. There were 93,000 motorcyclists injured during 2012, a 15% increase from 81,000 in 2011.“
- “In 2012, motorcyclists accounted for 15% of all traffic fatalities, 18% of all occupant (driver and passenger) fatalities, and 4% of all occupants injured. Of the 4,957 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes, 93% (4,625) were riders and 7% (332) were passengers.”
- “Motorcycles made up 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2012 and accounted for only 0.7 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2012, motorcyclists were more than 26 times likely than passenger car occupants to die in motor vehicle traffic crashes and 5 times more likely to be injured.”
- “Per registered vehicle, the fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2012 was 6 times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants. The injury rate for motorcyclists was about the same as the injury rate for passenger car occupants.”
Helmet Use and Effectiveness
NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,699 motorcyclists in 2012. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 781 lives could have been saved.
According to a
May 6, 2014 article by the LA TIMES, the NHTSA found: "
There were 10 times as many unhelmeted motorcyclist fatalities in states without universal helmet laws, compared to states with universal helmet laws, in 2012." Kendell Poole, GHSA chairman, added: “
By far, helmets are the single most effective way to prevent serious injury and death in the event of a motorcycle crash.”
That’s good news since motorcycle deaths had been steadily rising for ten years between 1998-2008, according to a
January 11, 2013 UT San Diego article. “
California’s annual motorcycle death toll peaked at 560 in 2008”, perhaps because of the downturn in the economy, then began rising again in 2011.
“An official with the California Office of Traffic Safety reported that most fatal motorcycle accidents happen on the weekends when people often take to the open road for pleasure, rather than during weekday commutes.”
The
Los Angeles Times article quotes “Dr. James Hedlund, a former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration official who authored the study:
“More universal helmet laws, reduced alcohol impairment, better motorcycle rider training and licensing, and more driver awareness of motorcycles could all help to cut motorcycle rider deaths.” According to Hedlund: “There is a mathematical correlation between helmet laws and rider deaths:
‘When helmet use goes down, rider fatalities go up,’ he said.”
“Driver education would also help”, Dr. James Hedlund said. “A high percentage of fatal motorcycle accidents occurred ‘
when a car [driver], typically, doesn't see the motorcyclist and turns left in front of the motorcycle’.”
The California Highway Patrol “also strongly encourages all motorcycle riders to sign up for the California Motorcyclist Safety Program, which is administered by the CHP as California's official motorcycle safety and training program. The Program offers courses for new and experienced riders. Find out more about the
California Motorcyclist Safety Program.”
California residents who find themselves injured in a motorcycle crash or who have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident may wish to research their options for filing a
personal injury or
wrongful death lawsuit. A civil action may provide an accident victim the opportunity to pursue monetary damages in court that may help cover medical bills, lost income, funeral costs and other related expenses.
The Law offices of Mark A Doughty can be reached by calling 530-674-1440.
Mark A Doughty has been practicing law in California since 1979. He has served the people of northern California and represented them without a fee (in accident cases) unless he recovers for them. For more information, please see
http://GoLaw.com.
