New Report Examines Alarming Increase in Motorcycle Rider Deaths

Explosion in motorcycle sales, training shortfalls, licensing issues,
decline in helmet use are key issues

WASHINGTON, June 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Friday marks the
official start of summer, and millions of Americans will hit the roads to
head to their summer vacations. Unfortunately, for too many motorcyclists,
this may also mark the beginning of another deadly summer. The Governors
Highway Safety Association’s (GHSA) new report, Survey of the States:
Motorcycle Safety Programs, examines the dramatic increase in motorcycle
rider deaths and looks at programs states have undertaken to keep
motorcyclists safe.

In the report, Survey of the States: Motorcycle Safety Programs, GHSA
notes that motorcycle fatalities in 2006 increased for the ninth straight
year — more than doubling from 2,110 in 1997 to 4,810 in 2006. In fact,
GHSA’s analysis of federal data shows that motorcycle fatalities increased
in 27 states and Puerto Rico between 2005 and 2006. In 2006, 67 percent of
all motorcycle fatalities occurred in 15 states. Also noteworthy is the
fact that in 2004, 2005 and 2006 nearly one third of all fatalities
occurred in California, Texas and Florida alone.

In 2007, GHSA asked state highway safety agencies to complete a survey
detailing motorcycle safety activities designed to mitigate or reverse the
annual increase in motorcycle crashes. Fifty states plus the District of
Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico completed surveys. The report found that:

— A patchwork of helmet laws, scant enforcement and a lack of helmet
promotion Hidden List exist despite clear evidence that
proper helmet use saves lives. Twenty states, the District of Columbia
and Puerto Rico have universal motorcycle helmet laws. Twenty-seven
states and Guam have laws that cover certain riders, and three states
have no motorcycle helmet laws. In states with partial laws or without
helmet laws, most riders who died were not wearing helmets. Only nine
states and Puerto Rico indicated special efforts to help law enforcement
identify helmets that don’t meet safety standards. Although it is
widely accepted that proper helmet use dramatically reduces the
likelihood of a fatality in a crash, only 17 states reported special
efforts to promote the benefits of helmet use and other protective gear.
— An explosion in motorcycle ownership has left states with training and
education shortfalls. Motorcycle sales almost quadrupled from 1997 to
2006, from 356,000 to almost 1.1 million. As a result, 29 states and
D.C. indicated they have capacity problems with delays ranging from one
day to 12 weeks for training classes. Only three states, Florida, Maine
and Rhode Island require rider education for all riders, regardless of
age.
— Motorcycle licensing requirements vary widely. Across the country, the
minimum age for a motorcycle license/endorsement ranges from 14 to 18.
Unlike automobile drivers, motorcyclists in at least 33 states may have
licensing tests waived for completion of a rider training course.
— Many motorcyclists drive without valid licenses. In 2006, 25 percent
of operators in fatal motorcycle crashes did not have a valid motorcycle
license, compared to 13 percent of drivers of passenger vehicles.
— Road construction issues are addressed in only a few states. Although
motorcycle riders and their passengers are vulnerable to hazardous road
conditions, only 21 states and Puerto Rico currently consider motorcycle
issues in road construction projects.
— Funding shortfalls are commonplace. Only 24 states reported that user
fees alone support their motorcycle safety/education efforts. In 18
states, programs are supported by a combination of one or more of the
following: user fees, dedicated state funding and federal grants. Three
states only use federal money.
According to GHSA Chairman Christopher J. Murphy, “This report is the
most complete effort to date that examines how states are dealing with the
problem of motorcycle safety. Clearly, more work must be done.” Murphy adds
that the timing of the report is key given that Congress will soon be
reauthorizing surface transportation programs, including those funding
motorcycle safety. “We know that we need more funding and also greater
flexibility with those funds to promote countermeasures that clearly work,
such as helmet use.”

Murphy also says this report serves as a reminder to share the road,
particularly as we start the summer driving season. “While the large
majority of motorcycle crashes are single vehicle, other vehicles are a
factor in 40 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes, so this is an issue
that impacts us all.” Tips for sharing the road with motorcycles are
available online at http://www.ghsa.org.

Survey of the States: Motorcycle Safety Programs is available online at
http://www.ghsa.org. State-by-state responses are included.

Contact: Kara Macek

202-789-0942

Governors Highway Safety Association