At the end of 2013, 417.126 motorbikes were registered in Belgium. That number represents 6% of the total number of registered vehicles. Their share has slowly been increasing over the years (FEBIAC, 2014). Motorcyclists account for only 1% of the travelled distance. However, according to police registrations, they account for 6% of all slightly injured, 11% of all severely injured and 12% of all road fatalities (Martensen & Roynard, 2013). The hospital statistics show even higher numbers. In 2011, no less than 18% of all hospitalized traffic accident victims, were driving a powered two-wheeler (PTW) (Nuyttens & Van Belleghem, 2014). Thus, motorcyclists are overrepresented amongst the traffic casualties. One of the main factors causing motorbike accidents is speeding. BRSI research has shown that in at least one third of the severe and fatal accidents in which motorbikes were involved in 2012 in Belgium, the driver was speeding (Martensen & Roynard, 2013). For fatal accidents, speeding occurred in 50% of the cases. Even when speed is not the main cause of an accident, it may have caused the driver to react too late on a mistake of another road user or another unexpected event. Speed does not only increase the probability of having an accident, it also worsens the consequences (Elvik, 2014). However, little is known about the actual speed of motorcyclists on our roads, and to what extent they respect speed limits. And whether this is similar or not to the behaviour of car drivers. This study is hence the first study in Belgium analysing the actual speed behaviour of motorcyclists at the national level. Even in an international perspective the study is quite unique. With this study BRSI hopes to demystify the suspicions and prejudices around the behaviour of motorcyclists and to provide evidence on this matter. Understanding the speed behaviour may help in effectively addressing road safety issues. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting