Interesting Statistical Facts

[Big-D]

After reading the recent link involving the HD rider going down, I found these fairly recent statistics. The numbers are much different than I had suspected.

Motorcycle Crash Statistics

 

[painman]

I have several members of my family that are nurses, firemen, and policemen. My brother and his wife work at the local trauma center and deal with motorcycle victims on a regular basis for our county. He says the majority of crash victims are 25 years of age or younger, have alcohol and or drugs on board and speed was a major factor in the accident.

He also says due to the increase of "middle age" motorcycle riders now riding HD or other cruiser types, they are starting to show an increase with the same factors appearing ie, alcohol, drugs, and or speed as a major factor in the crash.

IMHO, with the gas chrisis now in full swing, and I regularly see riders without the proper riding gear, including pin-stripped business suits, tee shirts, cut-offs and tennis shoes as riding gear, oh, and yes a helmet, going down the road, I would speculate that this also should contribute to injury and or death gained while riding when an accident occured.

One other interesting comment my brother mentioned as to crash victims, he said the majority of riders that were killed in an accident died due to internal injuries, and not head injury, but that head injuries were a big issue if the rider was wearing an un-approved helmet like the skid-lid or beanie type, which is one of the first items to come off your body, usually over your face when in a crash. Be safe, PM. <><

 

[ponyfool]

After reading the recent link involving the HD rider going down, I found these fairly recent statistics. The numbers are much different than I had suspected.

What exactly is contradictory to what you expected?

 

[Old Michael]

I personally was surprised at the stats on the number of fatalities on interstate highways versus non-interstates.

90% non-interstate. Only 10% on the slab? Who knew?

Of course more total miles are ridden on non-interstates, and there are no intersections or crossing traffic, or oncoming vehicles with only a line between, but I was still surprised.

 

[Checkswrecks]

After reading the recent link involving the HD rider going down, I found these fairly recent statistics. The numbers are much different than I had suspected.

What exactly is contradictory to what you expected?

+1 ??????

Cut it any way you want and it still comes down to training, training, training, and some self-discipline.

 

[canucklehead-biker]

Interesting article, thanks for posting.

+1 on the training and discipline. Unfortunately, you can make 'em take the training, but you can't make 'em apply it once they get a license.

Griff

 

[colin]

I personally was surprised at the stats on the number of fatalities on interstate highways versus non-interstates. 90% non-interstate. Only 10% on the slab? Who knew?

Of course more total miles are ridden on non-interstates, and there are no intersections or crossing traffic, or oncoming vehicles with only a line between, but I was still surprised.

i think interstates are fairly safe compared to other roads.... despite the speeds. I would guess (i haven't read the whole article, just skimmed through quickly), that the ratio of fatal accidents to non-fatal is higher on the highways due to speed, but would think less accidents makes sense.

would be neat to see this from a country where they have a bit more focus on better gear, riding instruction (requirements for a license) and helmet laws..... and then see how different it is....

thanks for the link.

 

[juniorfjr]

What strikes me that there were only 4500 deaths on motorcycles. There are 300 million in the USA and 4500 is less than .002% (I think) of the total populace. More die in the bathtub.

 

[Big-D]

First off, I was surprised to see having a (BAC) of <.08% did not have the impact I thought it would. I had read an article years ago stating 4 of 5 motorcycle fatalities involved alcohol consumption, yet the numbers are not that high. Of course in order to determine actual numbers, they would have needed total miles ridden by each category.

And mostly, I figured the mortality rate involving motorcycle accidents with riders between the ages of 15-44 would be much higher than the age group 45 and above merely because the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 – 44 is traffic accidents. But there is not that much of a difference until after age 59.

While driving into Henderson Nevada towards Las Vegas on the freeway, it’s not uncommon to be passed by 2-3 Sport Bike riders on full wheelies at 80+ mph. I figured this type of rider would be the major cause of statistics rising on younger age groups of riders.

Ages 15 - 44

 

[Colin24]

After reading the recent link involving the HD rider going down, I found these fairly recent statistics. The numbers are much different than I had suspected.
Motorcycle Crash Statistics

Quoted from above PDF...

- Alcohol involvement among motorcycle operators killed was almost 2.5 times the alcohol involvement of the passenger vehicle drivers involved in these crashes.

Very ABSENT from the document is a consideration of the gear worn by the motorcycle operator. I just scanned (then searched) the document. Not one mention of levels of helmet (plus other gear) use. They also comment how some numbers have "doubled" in so many years. But the numbers are absolute totals and take no consideration (unless I missed it) of the change in the number of riders. (To give an accident rate measured in something like "per 1000 riders") It makes me wonder what the purpose of the study was (a discussion on making motorcycling safer or more ammo for fear mongering)

One thing that comes out of these studies (even though this one skipped the issue of proper gear) is that people falling into the catagories of alcohol (even if your under the limit) and lack of proper gear are always over-represented in accident statistics. Or in other words, dont drink, wear the proper gear and the chances of getting in an accident just dropped by a huge factor!

---------------------------------------------

A very interesting nugget of information I was quite surprised at was the very low rate of fatalities on Interstates. Only 4% of all 2-vehicle accidents were on the interstates. I figured it would be lower, I didn't realize it would be _that_ much lower.

Almost funny in a way as I always find I feel better on the interstates. But to most non-riders they view the interstates as the most dangerous because of the speed. But as any experience rider knows the nature of the interstate eliminates the real threat which is not outright speed, but other drivers turning left, pulling out, intersections, etc.

Interesting study though.

 

[Last Chance]

I personally was surprised at the stats on the number of fatalities on interstate highways versus non-interstates. 90% non-interstate. Only 10% on the slab? Who knew?

Of course more total miles are ridden on non-interstates, and there are no intersections or crossing traffic, or oncoming vehicles with only a line between, but I was still surprised.

It's been obvious to me for years that the safest place to ride a MC is where there are no other cars or where they are all going in the same direction and with limited access!. I don't feel safe until I get to the slab!! Even there I'm paranoid!

LC

 

[rnees]

I personally was surprised at the stats on the number of fatalities on interstate highways versus non-interstates. 90% non-interstate. Only 10% on the slab? Who knew?

Of course more total miles are ridden on non-interstates, and there are no intersections or crossing traffic, or oncoming vehicles with only a line between, but I was still surprised.

It's been obvious to me for years that the safest place to ride a MC is where there are no other cars or where they are all going in the same direction and with limited access!. I don't feel safe until I get to the slab!! Even there I'm paranoid!

LC

+1. unless it's 5.30 in the morning and I'm on my way to work. yeehaa

 

[Docholiday]

Left lane on the super slab is the safest place to be on the bike. Cars can only come from one direction and I work to keep a safety zone around the bike. The interstate is boring though, so 2-lanes and staying right with ATGATT seem like a decent compromise. Agree with the rest, to stay safe, you have to take courses, practice, and stay mentally sharp. If you are drinking alcohol, stay off the bike.

 

[FJRBluesman]

I personally was surprised at the stats on the number of fatalities on interstate highways versus non-interstates. 90% non-interstate. Only 10% on the slab? Who knew?

Of course more total miles are ridden on non-interstates, and there are no intersections or crossing traffic, or oncoming vehicles with only a line between, but I was still surprised.

It's been obvious to me for years that the safest place to ride a MC is where there are no other cars or where they are all going in the same direction and with limited access!. I don't feel safe until I get to the slab!! Even there I'm paranoid!

LC

GUNNY!!

I'd rather all be going in the same direction and speeds.

Bicyclists and scooter riders that constantly get passed by cars due to their slow speed I believe are more likely to be hit since each car that passes you is an opportunity for an inattentive cage to hit you.

I'm more concerned riding my bike in the bike lane of a road then riding my FJR.

Great report, thanks.

 

[James Burleigh]

Good stuff. Thanks for posting.

More evidence that we largely control our own riding destinies. Or, said another way--More evidence that it's up to us to remove ourselves as a material contributing factor in our own deaths.

 

[boogahboogah]

Based on my read of the report, they seem to have a predilection towards 'striking vehicle', even though they acknowledge that that is not a blame factor.

So, I'm riding down the road, minding my own business, and someone makes a left turn right in front of me. I guess, based on their reportage, that I would be the 'striking vehicle'...

 

[Bearly Flying]

After reading the article, what stricks me is; the investigating authority should do a better analysis of the accident. Struck By: Motorcycle.

Because the Motorcycle was at fault or the cager pulled out without enough time for the Biker to avoid or mitigate the collision???????

Miles ridden..... How in the Hell do they figure that one out???????? Bar to Bar, or Warchild's week of Hell??????????

End result is a bunch of Bureaucrats justifying their Jobs,,,,, Little else.

 

[old&slow]

After reading the recent link involving the HD rider going down, I found these fairly recent statistics. The numbers are much different than I had suspected.
Motorcycle Crash Statistics

Thanks for the articile..

From what I read ,sounds like there's alot of MC's hitting the other vehicle.... Didn't notice how many time "the other vehicle" turned in front of,, pulled out in front of ,, didn't see the MC,, how many times a cell phone , newspaper,

make-up ,, etc.. was involved in the accident..

But, being 50 plus ,, not riding alot on Saturday & Sunday anymore,, not drinking and riding,, not speeding ( well maybe a little , but figure the speedo is probably at least 20 mph off anyway). I should be in good shape..

Now it I can just keep from striking other vehicle....

Wonder how much the taxpayers paid for that report ??? ride safe,,, old&slow dan :yahoo:

 

[k7lvo]

Left lane on the super slab is the safest place to be on the bike. Cars can only come from one direction and I work to keep a safety zone around the bike.

These are certainly valid considerations, however, I've heard that the most likely place to meet a wrong way driver on the interstate is in the far left lane because they're usually DUI and think they're driving in their SLOW lane...