In 2006 about 4,935 people were killed riding motorcycles of different kinds (see above). A major Motorcycle accident study analyzed information from thousands of accidents, drew conclusions about the causes and looked for ways people can avoid accidents. The "Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures," was a study conducted by the University of Southern California, with funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, researcher Harry Hurt investigated nearly every aspect of 900 motorcycle accidents in the Los Angeles area. Additionally, Hurt and his staff analyzed 3,600 motorcycle traffic accident reports in the same geographic area. Below are some of the findings. Motorcycle Accident Study findings: 1. Approximately three-fourths of these motorcycle accidents involved collision with another vehicle, which was most usually a passenger automobile. 2. Approximately one-fourth of these motorcycle accidents were single vehicle accidents involving the motorcycle colliding with the roadway or some fixed object in the environment. 3. Vehicle failure accounted for less than 3% of these motorcycle accidents, and most of those were single vehicle accidents where control was lost due to a puncture flat. 4. In the single vehicle accidents, motorcycle rider error was present as the accident precipitating factor in about two-thirds of the cases, with the typical error being a slide out and fall due to over braking or running wide on a curve due to excess speed or under-cornering. 5. Roadway defects (pavement ridges, potholes, etc.) were the accident cause in 2% of the accidents; animal involvement was 1% of the accidents. 6. In the multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle right-of-way and caused the accident in two-thirds of those accidents. 7. The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision. 8. Deliberate hostile action by a motorist against a motorcycle rider is a rare accident cause. The most frequent accident configuration is the motorcycle proceeding straight then the automobile makes a left turn in front of the oncoming motorcycle. 9. Intersections are the most likely place for the motorcycle accident, with the other vehicle violating the motorcycle right-of-way, and often violating traffic controls. 10. Weather is not a factor in 98% of motorcycle accidents. 11. Most motorcycle accidents involve a short trip associated with shopping, errands, friends, entertainment or recreation, and the accident is likely to happen in a very short time close to the trip origin. 12. The view of the motorcycle or the other vehicle involved in the accident is limited by glare or obstructed by other vehicles in almost half of the multiple vehicle accidents. 13. Conspicuity of the motorcycle is a critical factor in the multiple vehicle accidents, and accident involvement is significantly reduced by the use of motorcycle headlamps (on in daylight) and the wearing of high visibility yellow, orange or bright red jackets. (Note: the statistics which have just been released here in Australia - August 1996, DO NOT SHOW that "Lights on" legislation has worked!) 14. Fuel system leaks and spills were present in 62% of the motorcycle accidents in the post-crash phase. This represents an undue hazard for fire. 15. The median pre-crash speed was 29.8 mph, and the median crash speed was 21.5 mph, and the one-in-a-thousand crash speed is approximately 86 mph. 16. The typical motorcycle pre-crash lines-of-sight to the traffic hazard portray no contribution of the limits of peripheral vision; more than three- fourths of all accident hazards are within 45 degrees of either side of straight ahead. 17. Conspicuity of the motorcycle is most critical for the frontal surfaces of the motorcycle and rider. 18. defects related to accident causation are rare and likely to be due to deficient or defective maintenance. 19. Motorcycle riders between the ages of 16 and 24 are significantly over-represented in accidents; motorcycle riders between the ages of 30 and 50 are significantly under represented. Although the majority of the accident-involved motorcycle riders are male (96%), the female motorcycle riders are significantly over represented in the accident data. 20. Craftsmen, laborers, and students comprise most of the accident-involved motorcycle riders. Professionals, sales workers, and craftsmen are under represented and laborers, students and unemployed are over- represented in the accidents. 21. Motorcycle riders with previous recent traffic citations and accidents are over represented in the accident data.
I think all states should adopt the rules that Cali have as far as traffick signals go. New to me , here in Utah some intersections have left turn green arrows and most do not, even the ones with the arrows still allow a vehicle to turn left in front of oncoming traffick if they feel it is safe after the arrow turns off. I no likey this as every intersection I came to today I could see the cars wanting to turn left in front of me and being impatient and at one intersection the truck that I was facing darted out and I had to slow through the intersection to not hit him. I need to learn a new strategy for this situation as well as not being able to split lanes as it was once told to me by a CHP after I was rearended at a red light and my bike totaled " I never sit at a light in traffick , I always go to the front and in the future I suggest you do the same".
I always go to the front for fear of that exact reason, Carl. My suggestion for those that don't want to give you the right away...........point a gun!!! lol
Interesting stats but it only accounts for reported accidents, I would think the majority of single vehicle motorcycle accidents go unreported but thats just a guess. Anyway points taken dont be young, dont ride in the city, and make yourself noticed.
No bruh. What I got out of it is that you need to increase the time you spend riding 86 mph or faster and not to mess around with 20-29 mph cuz that shit makes you crash and insurance rates go up. I vote 172 for safety, we can smash these stats!
This data is know as the "Hurt Report", circa 1981. Not really recent material. http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/Documents/dhighwaysafety/CTDOT_Hurt.pdf The AMA is to perform a much needed updated study, but they need the funding. http://home.ama-cycle.org/membersonly/magazine/story_dl.asp?id=815 http://www.amadirectlink.com/study/ Please join the AMA to support your rights.
I never bought into this 100%. High Viz clothing and white helmets are purchased by people who have greater fears of accident. They may also ride with that in mind. ie. I met a couple on a 5000 mile moto-adventure. Jamie only buys white helmets because they are more visible. I argue that it's less the helmet and more Jamie that increases his safety on the road. It's not the clothing that changes the odds, it's the brain and the wrist.
Woah! Such a long post. I was just looking for a good DUI Lawyer but coming across this was sad. I know how it feels when your loved one gets hurt in an accident like this. My brother was once in same situation. Thank god, he is fine now.
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