Motorcyclist fatalities accounted for 7 percent of the total traffic fatalities in 2000; yet, motorcycles represent less than 2 percent of all registered vehicles and only 0.4 percent of all vehicle miles travelled. Motorcyclist crash fatalities had been decreasing in the mid-to-late 1990s, until 1998 and 1999 when fatalities increased dramatically. More riders older than 40 years were dying as a result of these crashes and high BAC levels were involved. To identify effective prevention and intervention approaches, 20 motorcycle focus groups-16 Rider Groups and 4 Leadership Groups-were held in five cities or regions across the United States. The findings of these groups indicate that (1) riders often discourage their peers from riding after drinking, but a culturally reinforced respect for rider freedom and individual responsibility set boundaries for peer actions; (2) rider concern for the safety and security of the motorcycle nearly always overshadows concern for individual safety and contributes to drinking and riding; and (3) motorcycle impoundment and court-ordered payment of costs for vehicle storage, alcohol treatment programs, and other costs are considered persuasive countermeasures. The results suggest that future drinking-and-riding prevention efforts should incorporate peer approaches and social norms modelling. Crisis Intervention Techniques may be valuable in preventing already impaired riders from operating their motorcycles. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting