The Governors Highway Safety Association recently released a national report on motorcycle accident statistics for 2010. It indicated that motorcycle deaths declined slightly last year. The two percent decline was far less than the 16 percent decline in motorcycle deaths in 2009, but the numbers were still encouraging in the face of 11 years of increases before that.
In New York, however, there was a large increase in the number of fatalities. The number of fatalities in the first 9 months of 2010 was 180, up sharply from 136 in the same period during 2009. Michigan and Wisconsin also experienced large increases.
Data on Death Rates
The data show that the frequency of motorcycle accident fatalities tends to increase as each year progresses. Researchers are not completely certain why this is the case. But clearly the warmer weather of the summer months attracts more motorcycle riders than in the depths of winter, especially in northern states like New York. Cold, wet weather is not conducive to riding a motorcycle, as road conditions can be treacherous for all vehicles.
Another factor that influences fatality rates is the differences that states have in how proactive they are about educating all drivers to share the road. Some states do a much better job than others of encouraging proper awareness by car and truck drivers of the need to respect the rights of motorcyclists.
Sharing the Road in New York
An example of the challenges bikers face in New York State occurred recently in Onondaga County. There have been a number of recent motorcycle accidents there, some of them fatal. Local law enforcement responded by stopping bikers more often, trying to put the onus on them by inspecting seemingly everything: helmet use, sound, brakes, tires and the whole nine yards.
Members of ABATE, a motorcycle safety organization, have expressed concern about the profiling of bikers by law enforcement. The focus should be on educating everyone to share the road better, not just on the motorcyclists' machines and protective gear.
Licensing and Training Programs
Proper licensing of motorcyclists can also be a factor in fatality rates. Some states require more extensive safety courses than others in order to get a license to operate a motorcycle. In Oregon, for example, fatalities dropped 27 percent once stricter safety and licensing protocols were implemented.
Motorcyclists face many dangers on the road. It's important to protect yourself as best you can by taking an approved safety course and obeying all traffic laws. But if you or someone close to you has been injured in an accident, a motorcycle injury attorney can advise you of your rights and options.
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