Interesting Safety Data from Washington

[Ignacio]

What is the helmet law in Washington?

Helmets are required by law.

AMA Website on Motorcycle Laws by State.

Perhaps the easiest way to reduce fatalaties would be to make training affordable to the average person with an avergae income. The MSF BRC and ERC are great courses and IMHO should be mandatory to getting a license (well the BRC anyway) The cost of courses like "Total Control" could be mitigated through the reduced cost to the public having to deal with motorcycle accidents.

Actually, the study said that cost wasn't the biggest factor and recommended lessening the subsidy already offered. They recommend more timely courses....within 30 days of somebody signing up for one as being more effective.

 

[Cdogman]

What is the helmet law in Washington?

Helmets are required by law.

AMA Website on Motorcycle Laws by State.

Perhaps the easiest way to reduce fatalaties would be to make training affordable to the average person with an avergae income. The MSF BRC and ERC are great courses and IMHO should be mandatory to getting a license (well the BRC anyway) The cost of courses like "Total Control" could be mitigated through the reduced cost to the public having to deal with motorcycle accidents.

Actually, the study said that cost wasn't the biggest factor and recommended lessening the subsidy already offered. They recommend more timely courses....within 30 days of somebody signing up for one as being more effective.

Interesting That, It seems that would make it even easier to change. Combine the two and perhaps we could see a real difference. Your point is taken though. My daughter in Calif. (college student on her own) Asked me to help her get a bike. I told her AFTER the passed the MSF I would until then no dice. I then sent her a check for the tuition. She did not take the course (did not get my check back either) So perhaps there are other factors too

 

[airboss]

If each one of us talks to at least few of those that end up on the report, we might have less people on this report due to someone actually might listen. Ok. I am off my soap box.

Cougar, don't get off your soap box, I never do. Whenever someone tells me they are thinking about getting a motorcycle,first thing I ask is, have you taken the MSF course yet? When they reply that they havn't, then I get to explain why they should and the benefits of taking the course. Yes I am a pearcher on this subject. Basic skills are much better than no skills at all.

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

They can buy a $10,000 bike give or take a few $$$$ but they can't afford $300-$400 to help themselves save their life. Go figure. Also before buying a bike maybe the state needs to implement proof of license and insurance plus a safety course. This would dramatically cut into the accidents. But I guess by past responses some would consider this Gestapo tactics.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Steve Garets and Oregon are leaders in the field, as far as collecting and using safety data. For example, go to the Oregon submission for the NHTSA work:

https://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/ped...otorcyclesafety

NTSB also just had a motorcycle safety forum and collected info on accident statistics, safety gear, education, and a couple of other topics.

There were some differences between the newer (such as Oregon) percentages in data compared with the earlier Hurt report. In either, there should be no surprises in the big hitters, but some great reminders:

ABATE or not, the stats are solid in that helmets do save lives AND reduce trauma injuries.

Alchohol is a personal decision and a poor one.

The rider's ability/training/outlook make a world of difference.

The "other guys" don't see us. Ride in this knowledge.

Bob

 

[RiderCoach Lar]

ABATE or not, the stats are solid in that helmets do save lives AND reduce trauma injuries.Alchohol is a personal decision and a poor one.

The rider's ability/training/outlook make a world of difference.

The "other guys" don't see us. Ride in this knowledge.

Pretty much sums it up. Well put, Bob

 

[chipset]

I can wholehearted agree to training. I am one of those poor souls who has not had any formal training on a motorcycle. It's not out of not wanting to, however. When I lived in Utah, I could never get into the ERC. It wasn't available when I was. And when it was available, I wasn't.

I was in Biloxi over the summer, and again, it was so far out and so little demand, I was on a calling list in case they had enough people sign up.

I am now in Dallas and hoping to catch some training here.

However, when I talk to people interested in riding, the very first thing I mention to them is training. This is especially for those people on the wall about riding. It is a cheap way to learn more about it and determine if it is something they would enjoy doing.

I have a friend in NJ that I told to take the riding course. He was on the waiting list for 6 months before he got into a class. He has since gone back for some additional training.

I can say, however, that I am licensed for riding motorcycles.

 

[sprint_st]

There's some interesting data in that report.
This thread is about the Washington State Report. You want to talk about another data source, please go start another thread. Please stay on topic.

And, preferably responses from folks that actually read the report first would be ideal.

While the numbers of deaths and injuries have significantly increased, so have the number of motorcycles. Why don't they compare percentages to percentages rather than just look at the number of deaths, injuries., etc.

Exactly!

They certainly all trend up, but the registrations clearly don't keep up with traumas or fatalities. ....and I had thought they would. Some other variable there.

Interesting data??? Really??? Washington State is pretty far down in the pack when it comes to MC accidents. Florida and California lead the pack, NC, TX, PA, NY, OH, GA, AZ,MI, IL, IN, TN, SC, all have significantly more and would have not only more interesting data but more meaningful data. If you read the NHTSA data and look at trends over ten years you will see they do base their numbers as compared to registered vehicles. From 1994 to 2004 motorcycle fatalities rose about 13% while cars dropped 20%. Again, that's rated per 100,000 registered vehicles so the increase in the number of bikes arguement just doesn't wash. Yes, I read the report and you should look at the implecations of the numbers which put the comments right "on topic." The report shows that the overwhelming number of accidents were on dry roads in daylight. Over 40% were alcohol related, 50% involved excess speed, and more than half involved only the bike. It also shows that older riders are having more falities than the norm. All of these stats and the conclusion of the report support my original observations. You can pick at the methods used in the Washington Report for not weighting against vehicle registration if you want, but it is consistant with other data that does, so their conclusions are sound AND like I said Motorcycles aren't dangerous, riders are.

 

[SkooterG]

Yo, sprint st - can't find any windmills to knockdown?

 

[dcarver]

Yo, sprint st - can't find any windmills to knockdown?

At least he didn't crash on an empty, dry, barren, flat surface...

 

[SkooterG]

At least he didn't crash on an empty, dry, barren, flat surface...

Hey mang.........that takes some serious skillzzzzz! :lol:

 

[Ignacio]

Interesting data??? Really??? Washington State is pretty far down in the pack when it comes to MC accidents. ...

Glad you read it. From your first post I got the distinct impression you hadn't.

Your follow-up observations are interesting. Thanks for joining the conversation in the subject topic.