Fatal Motorcycle Crashes Soaring

[718Rider]

Got this from a friend this morning . . .

FATAL MOTORCYCLE CRASHES SOARING

Experts cite many reasons for increase

Fatal motorcycle crashes are up more than 50 percent since 1997, and no one can figure out why._ Graying riders, weakened helmet laws, drunken motorcyclists, souped-up engines and oblivious car drivers all may be factors, but safety experts aren't quite sure why the rate of fatal crashes are soaring as fatal car and truck crash rates fall.

We really don't know why it's happening, so how can we do anything about it?" said David Thom, program manager at the Head Protection Research Laboratory, a non-profit California-based safety group. He is co-author of a study of motorcycle rider and industry safety. Nations around the world are seeing a similar rise in motorcycle deaths, Thom said.

U.S. Motorcyclist deaths dropped consistently from 1980 to 1997, but now are jumping each year by the hundreds. In 1997, 2,116 motorcyclists were killed; in 2001, the number was up to 3,181, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The rising death toll can be attributed in part to the rising number of motorcycles on the road, but even taking that into account, the rate of crashed are up. The rate of fatal U.S. crashes per 100 million miles ridden increased by 59 percent from 1997 to 2001, from 21.43 to 34.4.

In 1997, one in 20 U.S. road fatalities was a motorcycle rider, but in 2001, it was one in 13._ Motorcycle crashes that injure, but not kill, have gone up only 19 percent since 1997._ With little protection around them, motorcyclists suffer more severe injuries-often to the head-that turn fatal, experts say.

Motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to die in a crash than a passenger in a car._ The Traffic Safety Administration cites many possible causes for the increased death rate, among them that riders tend to be older-the average age of motorcyclists killed in crashes increased from 29.3 in 1990 to 36.3 in 2001.

Bigger bikes are likely another contributing factor, as engine size has increased by 25 percent on average from 769 cubic centimeters in 1990 to 959 cc in 2001.

Another major factor, according to the agency, is that since 1997 five states-Arkansas, Texas, Kentucky, Louisiana and Florida-have weakened laws requiring motorcycle helmets. Studies show dramatic increases in fatalities in each of those states except Florida.

But even those reasons together don't provide a full explanation, experts say. "There are some question marks that can only be answered by doing a comprehensive (motorcycle accident) causation study," said agency spokesman Rae Tyson._ But the agency will not do such a study because it costs too much, between $2-$3 million, Tyson said._ Independent experts agree that such a study is needed. It was the No. 1 recommendation from both riders and the motorcycle industry in a 2001 safety proposal.

[ckcarr]

This article or similar has appeared several times in the last few years. And its probably all true.

IMO, the following is a little misleading..

"The rising death toll can be attributed in part to the rising number of motorcycles on the road, but even taking that into account, the rate of crashed are up. The rate of fatal U.S. crashes per 100 million miles ridden increased by 59 percent from 1997 to 2001, from 21.43 to 34.4."

I would be curious where the statistic is derived from. Are they simply counting total motorcycle registrations and multiplying by an estimated average of miles ridden? Somewhere there is an assumption and computation of total miles put on motorcycles. Can it be that the old statistic of "most fatal accidents happen within 25 miles of home and are at an average speed of 30 mph..." is catching up to a lot of inexperienced newbees who never get a chance to put high mileage on their bikes? Which way would this change the statistic? what about people with multiple motorcycles and several registrations?

I would add the smoothness and power of newer motorcycles which can be very decieving for a lot of people. On my Harley 80 is 80mph, on the S 80 feels like 50.

[aap1966]

Similar trends here in Oz, and we have consistently tough helmet laws across all states. Here the greatest increase in deaths is in the 35+ age group--which until 10 years ago had the lowest mortality. My humble theory is that the problem is multi-factorial. Firstly, bikes are getting too good. We are seeing alot of mid-life riders getting back onto bikes after 20 year lapses, they have the money to buy a R1, fireblade or something similar and then find out that the performance of a 1000cc plus bike is just a tad better now than last time they rode in the late 70s/early 80s. This may be exacerbated by unrealised limits to the riders' ability. ("The older I get, the better I was" syndrome). Also, here in Oz, the powers that be ignore all road safety issues other than alcohol and speed--people think that as long as they are sober and not exceeding the speed limit then they are invulnerable and can drive like #$%* with impunity. Unfortunately, there's no way to know for sure as such crash stats that are collected are almost useless. In NSW, if you lose control of the bike then the cause of the crash is "excessive speed". For instance, doing 30km/h (approx 20mph) in a 60km/h (40mph) zone, hit oil, lose the bike and Mr Plod will record a contributing cause of accident as "excessive speed"
If anyone out there has some hard OBJECTIVE facts on this, it would be ++ interesting.

[1967 R50/2]

I'd be interested in seeing how many crashes involved another vehicle. My guess is that you will find it to be suprisingly low. If would consider anything less than the equivalent statistic of car on car accidents low. If so that would lend credence to the theory that bike capabilities have exceeded rider ability. In fact that was probably the case 40 years ago too, but now it is much, much more so.

I also think the cult of machismo has become even stronger in this sport. For example Squid behavior among sport riders, no helmet, no gear among cruiser dudes. Or in the worse cases a combo of both.

[JF]

I hate to say it, but I think the young riders here in So. Cal. add to that number greatly. Though I'm not at all confused as to why. More and more young riders, on faster and more powerful bikes, all convinced that they wont crash, cant crash, end up riding way outside their ability and....crash. Every weekend of every week of the year someone wrecks. Last week, two. The week before, two and before that one, etc etc. Some live some don't.

Our licensing and training are weak, the bikes are not and the new riders who have more willingness than skill or common sense to go fast end up hurt or dead.

A common situation I've seen around here, is the new rider on the new bike, that is convinced that this new machine gives them skill. I've come up behind them, but instead of waving you by, they insist on going faster and faster. Until it's clear they are in over their head, braking in the middle of a turn or, moving the bike around too much, turning to soon etc. I just back off them, amazed at how people will put themselves in harms way.

I remember watching some rider in front of me and thinking on more than one occation "oooh man, slow down buddy, your gunna lose it."....then as fast as that, they are down.

yadda yadda yadda...

[philth]

I guess there can be no doubt that the 22 yr old squid racer wannabe on a GXR is going to die as often as not.

It also seems pretty obvious from both the stats and anectdotal evidence that rusty customers that rode 20 years ago and think they know it all are padding those numbers as well.

I spent some time selling bikes at a bmw shop and the most common conversation that I had was with the guy who made a deal with his wife that he would stop riding until the kid got to college. Well, that was 18 years ago, she didn't think he'd remember, but he did and now he wants that R1200c or whatever. They think nothing of just hopping on the bike and riding away. 18 years of cage driving will make you numb, inattentive and stupid, not to mention the significant depreciation of skills. I was always torn between being stoked that these guys kept the fire alive and scared to death that they were going to have a horrible incident.

And then here we are: 35-50...never stopped riding...good skills...alert....maybe done some track days...by and large sensible riders but prone occassionally to bouts of herendous stupidity. Usually I don't ride too fast around traffic but I scare myself now and then because of poor judgement or adrenaline or an unfortunately placed patch of gravel. There's really no need for this. This weekend I was up on highway 9 in a cage with my girl. Just cruising along at what felt like a snails pace trying to be polite and stay out of the way of the bikes trying to enjoy a little Sunday romp. And then around a corner they came....an r1, 996, mile r all riding WAY too fast. I noticed it because pulling out to pass a car and almost taking me out head on was a silver rt trying to keep up with these guys. Clearly not a 22 year old. Had I been 15 over the speed limit which I almost always am he would've killed all 3 of us and an un-born child. I may know who it was and have even sold him the bike. That was likely his moment of poor judgement or a bit too much adrenaline or whatever. I know two things: the risk was not worth it and if I see that guy in a parking lot I'm going to kick his f'ing ass badly.

Ride hard, be smart, have fun.

[Rattus]

Hi 718Rider, was it a non-rider that sent you this article?

Sometimes I think articles like this instill a negative mindset in riders that saps confidence and promotes self doubt - and confidence is something that can get you out of trouble when it comes to the crunch. I just think positive and enjoy, life is too short NOT to enjoy riding.

[718Rider]

I got it from a life long rider from a long family of life long riders. Anyway, for me it's always a good reminder to be careful and to RESPECT the fact I'm on 2 wheels.

[Rattus]

Fair enough - as an avid reader and re-reader of David Hough's "Proficient Motorcycling" book I agree with you about being aware. He's got some interesting thoughts on motorcycle crash analysis. What I don't like is smug, preachy, self-righteous "I told you so" talk that is forthcoming from some non-bikers who'd use the stats in an article like this for their own ends. The article itself is interesting and worth thinking about.

[Firebolter]

I would like to see how many guys will be road pizza after they go to the movie "Biker Boyz". As with most movies of this type, people get real hyped after seeing it and go out and try to replicate the feats seen BY PROFESSIONAL STUNT RIDERS in the movie.

[philth]

Yah, but I reckon the worst outcome from a movie like that will be an entrenchment of bad attitudes toward motorcyclists. "Their all crazy and irresponsible" "No wonder so many of them die" "Those things should be illegal"

I really wish people would stop producing and doing stuff that gives the "It's the governments role to protect you from yourself" contigency out there more ammo.