According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, 2008) motorcycle registrations increased by 75 percent during 1997-2006. Analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety of data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System shows that, during the same time period, fatalities in motorcycle crashes increased by 128 percent. Unlike automobiles, motorcycles offer little if any occupant protection. Only 20 percent of automobile crashes result in injury or death, whereas 80 percent of motorcycle crashes have this outcome (NHTSA, 2005). Therefore any countermeasure aimed at reducing the likelihood of motorcycle crashes should significantly reduce the risk of injury or death. One technology designed to reduce the likelihood of motorcycle crashes is antilock braking systems (ABS). While in motion, motorcycles are kept stable by the gyroscopic effect of the wheels and lateral grip of the tires. If a wheel is braked too hard, so that it locks, both lateral grip and gyroscopic effect are lost. When this occurs, the motorcycle is immediately destabilized, and any remaining tire grip is engaged in uncontrolled skidding, leaving no grip for manoeuvring. ABS has independent braking sensors for each wheel. If the system detects a difference in the rotation speeds of the wheels, it partially releases brake pressure to allow the locked wheel to spin and the tire to retain grip before reapplying the brake. ABS then modulates braking pressure to achieve optimum braking. The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) initially reported on motorcycle ABS in April 2008, in which the model years of the motorcycles studied ranged from 2003 to 2007. Significant reductions in collision claim frequencies and overall losses were found for motorcycles equipped with ABS. No significant reductions were found for claim severities. This report updates and expands the initial analysis by adding the 2008 model year, increasing the number of make/series from 12 to 18, and doubling the collision exposure. This study also includes an analysis of medical payment coverage, which typically pays for operator injuries, and bodily injury liability coverage, which typically pays for passenger injuries. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting