A pre-licence training program for motorcyclists (Ridersafe) was introduced in South Australia on 13 April 1987 in an attempt to reduce the frequency of motorcycle crashes. Around this time, a system was set up to collect data to enable the effectiveness of the training program to be evaluated. Examination of the data could not show any effect of Ridersafe on safety, either positive or negative. Further, the practical and scientific problems involved in collecting enough data to make a reasonable assessment of the effectiveness of Ridersafe would seem to preclude any conclusions from being drawn from available data in South Australia. The literature review found that there is little that can confidently be said about the influence of motorcycle rider training programs on crashes, based on the studies reported to date. That training is capable of producing an increase in accidents has not been properly demonstrated by any study. From consideration of the very small number of studies that are of a good standard, training may either have no effect on accident rates or it may produce a decrease. This may be primarily through deterring individuals from becoming licensed. (A)
Abstract