The growth in motorcycle accidents is a direct result of growth in numbers and use of these vehicles. The survey indicates that the motorcycle accident situation is serious, growing and epidemic in the united states. This study concludes that the motorcycle is the most deadly vehicle operating on the public highway. It is unstable and completely exposes the driver and passengers to the injurious forces of collision. The fatality rate is 11.5 fatalities per 10,000 vehicles, which is 2.7 times as great as the rate for all motor vehicle occupants. Research in great britain has shown that, per mile driven: (1) the chance of a cyclist being killed is 20 times that of a car driver, (2) a passenger on a motorcycle has an even greater chance of being killed than the cyclist, (3) the personal injury rate is about four times that of cars, and (4) cyclists with less than six months' experience have an accident rate double that of the more experienced. Sales trends indicate increasing sales of new vehicles. Relief is advocated through strong enforcement actions such as driver licensing specifically for motorcycle driving, elimination of passengers, strong insurance requirements, and other measures to reduce usage and increase responsibility. (Author/publisher)
Abstract