Monday, October 6, 2008

Thought you might find this interesting

I found this on AMA's website and wanted to share it with you all since this has been a hot topic lately.

AMA urges DOT to accelerate motorcycle crash study
Posted October 6, 2008
AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman called for the U.S. Department of Transportation to accelerate a long-overdue federal study into the causes of motorcycle crashes in a meeting with the agency's head, Secretary Mary Peters, on Friday, October 3. Acting Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) David Kelly, and AMA Vice President of Government Relations Ed Moreland also attended the meeting.
"There are an estimated 10 million motorcyclists on the road today, more than at any time in America's history," said Dingman, who heads the nation's 300,000-member non-profit association. "As a direct result of this growth and increased usage, we are experiencing more crashes, injuries and fatalities. Our meeting with Secretary Peters--a motorcyclist herself--was cordial yet frank. We believe she understands the sense of urgency to get this crash research underway."
According to NHTSA statistics released by Peter's office in September, the number of motorcycle riders or passengers killed on U.S. roads in 2007 increased 6.6 percent over 2006, while the overall number of traffic fatalities fell to the lowest number since 1994.
"Some time ago, Congress and the motorcycling community committed the necessary funds for this study," said Dingman. "For too long, NHTSA has simply focused on a strategy of advocating mandatory helmet use, while doing little to prevent crashes from occurring in the first place. With a new administration set to take office on January 20, we can't afford any more delays while motorcycle crashes, injuries and fatalities continue to mount. The time to begin the study is now."
Dingman stressed that while the AMA strongly supports voluntary helmet use as one element of a comprehensive approach to motorcycle safety, a higher priority must be given by NHTSA to crash prevention, which must include greater emphasis on motorist awareness programs to educate road users about motorcycles.
The crash study is being undertaken by the Oklahoma Transportation Center, an independent and well-respected research facility at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. The last major motorcycle crash study was completed in 1980, and it provided a wealth of data that has been used to develop training and strategies to help keep riders safer on the road. In the decades since, the traffic environment has changed enormously, prompting the AMA to begin campaigning for a new study several years ago.
"The idea behind the motorcycle crash causation study is to help us understand the causes of crashes so that effective countermeasures can be developed," said Dingman. "Absent this study, countermeasures will continue to be developed in a vacuum, with no way to know which measures will be effective."
In their meeting Friday, Dingman also urged Secretary Peters to reject New York City's request to ban motorcycles from high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Federal law stipulates that HOV lanes must allow motorcycles to use the lanes unless proven to pose a safety hazard.
"Secretary Peters was supportive of our desire to end New York City's illegal ticketing of motorcyclists in HOV lanes," said Dingman.

11 comments:

FLHX_Dave said...

Hmmmm...I need to get a grant to do a study on motorcycle safety. Non profit of course...cough, cough.

Ann said...

I read an article on this not too long ago. NHTSA failed to notify the Oklahoma Trans Center that they had been picked to do the study, and there were some logistical issues. Then the Trans center tried to say they needed another million to do the study. I hope they get it done.

Thanks for sharing, BB! :)

Lady R (Di) said...

It's funny you posted this on this day. On my way from home today I was an accident that already happened. As I passed by I glanced over and your NOT going to believe what I saw.
I could see the two vehicles that were involved as I approached the scene, but what I didn't see at first, was the motorcycle standing on its two wheels wedged in between these two cars. The front wheel was embedded in the rear bumper of the car in front of it, and the rear wheel was even more embedded in the front bumper of the car behind it.
And lots of crushed parts. WTF!
This poor rider was the meat of a sandwich. I didn't see anybody laying around hurt, so I hope that rider was somehow able to escape injury.

This is the same road I take everyday to work and I plan to ride the bike this morning. I probably won't be able to pass that spot without thinking of that accident.

I think more studies should be done. Helmet laws are nothing but a pacifier!

B.B. said...

Dave- Always looking for a new opportunity aren't you?

Ann- Sounds like a true government agency at work. Yeah, hopefully they can get past all the crap and just get it done.

Lady R- When I read your comment I got a sick feeling in my stomach. I hope the rider got out off the bike before it got pinned in there.

Becky said...

I am anal-retentive like you. Recheck your title.......Tee Hee

Bikerchickz

B.B. said...

LMAO! Thanks Becky, I didn't even notice! I'm gonna fix it right now. Nobody else even said anything.

Anonymous said...

Seems as though it takes the situation going beyond ridiculous before the government springs into action about anything!

"Joker" said...

I don't need any government study to tell me the biggest causes. We all know most crashes are inexperienced riders simply dumping their own bikes. I would like to see the numbers on how many cage vs. bike crashes were actually found to be the fault of the rider.

The bottom line is that it's too easy to get a driver's license in this country, and there is little or no driver education concerning sharing the roads with motorcycles. Cell phones (I know Dave will agree on this one!) have now become one of the biggest causes of driver distraction among cagers.

When you allow a 20 year old kid who's never ridden before to just buy and start riding a sport bike that can go from 0 to 140 in 6 or 8 seconds on just a learner's permit, you're gonna have problems. When you give any jackhole a license after driving around the block and making one 3 point turn in a barely 10-minute so-called "test," you're gonna have problems.

These jabroni's need to spend less time sitting around talking about it and start ACTING. Spend the money on educating the public. Screw the "study."

Lady R (Di) said...

Happy Birthday! I hope you had a great day! Celebrate each one, and treasure your memories!

One Harley Rider said...

HaPpY BiRtHdAy B.B.! Hope you had a great one.

Webster World said...

I guess it's all about the money. A millon more. Hell I'll bet Dave would do it with out the (extra millon). And b.b. happy 18th.