Motorcycle safety is everyone's responsibility

More motorists are trading in or parking their larger motor vehicles for motorcycles as a way of beating the rising cost of gasoline. Nationwide, there is an increase in motorcycle traffic on highways and countryside roads. Yet, with this increase in ridership there is an increase in motorcycle accidents. Although, the U.S., in recent years, has been successful in reducing automobile deaths, the National Highway and Transportation Administration (NHTSA — www.nhtsa.gov) indicates the rate of motorcycle fatalities has more than doubled in the past 10 years — 2,116 in 1997 to more than 4,800 in 2006 — offsetting the gain in lives saved from higher seat belt use and improved passenger vehicle safety. Currently, motorcycle fatalities are the nation’s greatest highway traffic safety challenge.

Motorcycle registration has jumped 63 percent between 1997 and 2005. Its popularity is attributed to its initial cost, recreational use, fuel efficiency (for some models) and continued use during winter months. Yet, motorcycles provide little protection to its occupants, one of the main reasons why motorcyclists are killed in crashes. Research has shown that helmets are the most effective piece of safety gear for motorcyclists — protecting riders against head injuries. Wearing protective clothing and equipment serves as a three-fold purpose for motorcyclists by providing:

• Comfort and protection from the elements.

• Protection from injury.

• Visibility to other motorists, through the use of color or reflective materials.

The majority of motorcycle crashes can be attributed to other motorists and their poor judgment of speed, poor judgment of spacing, and failure to detect or recognize motorcycles among traffic. Motorists need to be aware that their actions affect the safety of other vehicles and their occupants. Most often, drivers of other vehicles involved in motorcycle collisions state, “They did not see the motorcycle before the collision,” or “They did not see the motorcycle until it was too late.”

According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF — www.msf-usa.org), the majority of motorcycle deaths can be prevented if motorcyclists take responsibility by doing everything possible to make their ride safe. MSF, a non-profit foundation internationally recognized and supported by motorcycle manufacturers and the motorcycle community for their standards of excellence in motorcycle rider education and training operates over 1,500 “RiderCourse” sites in the U.S. They are a leader in motorcycle safety partnering with NHTSA, state governments, the military and other organizations to improve education, training and operator licensing for motorcyclists.

The Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue (www.pwcgov.org/fire), MSF and NHTSA urge motorcyclists to:

• Get trained and licensed.

• Wear personal protective gear — all the gear, all the time “ATGATT” — including a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218-compliant helmet manufactured to the standards set by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

• Ride unimpaired by alcohol or other drugs.

• Ride within your own skill limits.

• Be a lifelong learner by taking refresher rider courses.

Motorcycle fatalities and injuries are not the problem of just one person or organization to solve it is everyone’s responsibility — the states, local jurisdictions, national organizations, rider groups, manufacturers, insurers, individual riders and drivers. It’s everyone’s responsibility to do everything within their power to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride for all motorcyclists, every trip, every time.

This column is provided by the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue’s Community Relations Team. Send questions or comments to DFR Responding to You, 9250 Lee Ave., Manassas VA 20110 or via e-mail to dfrrespondingtoyou@pwcgov.org.