Thursday, July 02, 2009
Report: Emerging motorcycle trends concern safety experts
Relaxation of helmet laws, an increase in fatalities, and changes in vehicle types and owner demographics are among the emerging motorcycle trends causing safety and public health experts concern, according to a new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's National Center for Statistics and Analysis.
Findings from the report, released June 19, show that although motorcycle safety training has increased substantially, the number of motorcycle deaths and estimated injuries have increased at a greater rate than registrations and vehicle miles traveled.
Additional results show that from 1997 to 2006:
- The number of motorcyclist deaths each year increased to 4,837 from 2,116 (a 128.6 percent increase)
- Deaths per 100,000 registered motorcycles increased to 72.3 from 55.3 (a 30 percent increase)
- Deaths per million motorcycle miles traveled increased to 39 from 21 (an 85.7 percent increase)
Researchers said factors accounting for increases in death rates were beyond the scope of the report, but noted a related trend in the relaxation of motorcycle helmet laws. Additional concerns for safety and public health experts include increased sales of bikes to older riders and sales of racing-style motorcycles.