DOT seeks to lower motorcycle deaths, educate riders

[nhboy]

"The federal government Friday will unveil a broad program to cut motorcycle death rates that have doubled in the past 10 years as aging baby boomers hit the open road.

The Department of Transportation's initiative includes a national training standard for beginning riders and added training for police officers who enforce traffic laws.

"Our nation's greatest traffic highway safety challenge is motorcycle fatalities," says Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, noting that biking deaths are rising while other vehicle fatalities are declining.

"We have a significantly disproportionate representation of motorcycle fatalities," Peters says. Motorcycles represent 2.5% of all registered vehicles but 11.3% of traffic deaths."

DOT seeks to lower motorcycle deaths, educate riders - USATODAY.com

 

[ylexot]

I find it amazing that driver's ed is required for a car, but rider's ed is not required for a bike :shrug:

 

[Vince]

I find it amazing that driver's ed is required for a car, but rider's ed is not required for a bike :shrug:

Drivers Safety course in some states is required for motorcycle. Also required to ride on any Navy installation. They don't need a drivers ed course for motorcycles, they need a get your head out of your azz course for the folks in the 4 wheel vehicles. They are not looking for motorcycles. They are so busy with their cell phones they barely see the other cars.

 

[Foxhound]

The problem I see here is an educated motorcyclist still doesn't stop the idiot on the phone in the SUV from turning left in front of a motorcycle. The most common type of accident involving a motorcycle. It's just another forced expense on the motorcyclists part and makes the lawmakers feel good about making a difference. If they really want to make a difference they need to put more emphasis on teaching motorcycle awareness to ALL drivers, and make a federal hands free requirement for mobile phone calls in vehicles.

How many riders do you know, and how many have taken a MSC? The majority of riders I know have. I'm not against motorcycle safety courses, on the contrary, I believe they make a great difference in riders ability to handle adversity. The stats show a vehicle turning left in front of a motorcycle at an intersection is the #1 type of accident involving a bike. It also shows that the majority of those accidents were caused by the DRIVER (not rider) not seeing the motorcycle.

JMO

 

[Vince]

The problem I see here is an educated motorcyclist still doesn't stop the idiot on the phone in the SUV from turning left in front of a motorcycle. The most common type of accident involving a motorcycle. It's just another forced expense on the motorcyclists part and makes the lawmakers feel good about making a difference. If they really want to make a difference they need to put more emphasis on teaching motorcycle awareness to ALL drivers, and make a federal hands free requirement for mobile phone calls in vehicles.

How many riders do you know, and how many have taken a MSC? The majority of riders I know have. I'm not against motorcycle safety courses, on the contrary, I believe they make a great difference in riders ability to handle adversity. The stats show a vehicle turning left in front of a motorcycle at an intersection is the #1 type of accident involving a bike. It also shows that the majority of those accidents were caused by the DRIVER (not rider) not seeing the motorcycle.

JMO

The second worst cause is the driver pulling out in front of the motorcyle and the rider doesn't have the time to pull evasive action. Had it done to me numerous times. I just got lucky enough to be able to go to the right or left of the vehicle.

 

[ImnoMensa]

I have been riding a long time. It seems to me that once we had a Motorcycle safety plan that was paid for by adding a dollar to our tags---but then some greedy politician, I think it was Spendenning took the money and left us empty handed.

Am I wrong about that?

 

[itsbob]

The problem I see here is an educated motorcyclist still doesn't stop the idiot on the phone in the SUV from turning left in front of a motorcycle. The most common type of accident involving a motorcycle. It's just another forced expense on the motorcyclists part and makes the lawmakers feel good about making a difference. If they really want to make a difference they need to put more emphasis on teaching motorcycle awareness to ALL drivers, and make a federal hands free requirement for mobile phone calls in vehicles.

How many riders do you know, and how many have taken a MSC? The majority of riders I know have. I'm not against motorcycle safety courses, on the contrary, I believe they make a great difference in riders ability to handle adversity. The stats show a vehicle turning left in front of a motorcycle at an intersection is the #1 type of accident involving a bike. It also shows that the majority of those accidents were caused by the DRIVER (not rider) not seeing the motorcycle.

JMO

I thought the majority of motorcyycle accidents were single vehicle.. rider losing control of his ride..

 

[Pete]

I thought the majority of motorcyycle accidents were single vehicle.. rider losing control of his ride..

I don't know about other riders but I ride 100% within my means. I don't Ricky Race, lane swerve, take unnecessary risks. I ALWAYS expect the car to my left or right is going to slide over in my lane. I never (if at all possible) ride next to a car, I always flash my brake when I see the traffic light 200 yards down the road. When I go through a green light I ALWAYS scope out both sides for someone blowing through the light or approaching.

Every once in a while I get lane shifted or crowded but not that often. when it does happen I am ready for it because I ALWAYS expect it. some day they might get me but I am going to make it VERY difficult for them.

 

[desertrat]

I thought the majority of motorcyycle accidents were single vehicle.. rider losing control of his ride..

That's what I recall.

 

[itsbob]

I don't know about other riders but I ride 100% within my means. I don't Ricky Race, lane swerve, take unnecessary risks. I ALWAYS expect the car to my left or right is going to slide over in my lane. I never (if at all possible) ride next to a car, I always flash my brake when I see the traffic light 200 yards down the road. When I go through a green light I ALWAYS scope out both sides for someone blowing through the light or approaching.

Every once in a while I get lane shifted or crowded but not that often. when it does happen I am ready for it because I ALWAYS expect it. some day they might get me but I am going to make it VERY difficult for them.

I'd like to say I ride like that 100% of the time.. but I find myself getting complacent and comfortable. Next thing you know I'm riding down (up?) 235 and sitting in someone's blind spot. USUALLY I snap out of it and realize what it is I'm doing, but sometimes I get into that DinseyZenZippidyDoDah place, and am just happy and whistling and having a good time.. and not being as attentive as I should be.

Really have to focus and remind myself how vulnerable I am and how everyone IS out to get me, then I'm back to riding how I should.

 

[ylexot]

I'd like to say I ride like that 100% of the time.. but I find myself getting complacent and comfortable. Next thing you know I'm riding down (up?) 235 and sitting in someone's blind spot. USUALLY I snap out of it and realize what it is I'm doing, but sometimes I get into that DinseyZenZippidyDoDah place, and am just happy and whistling and having a good time.. and not being as attentive as I should be.

Really have to focus and remind myself how vulnerable I am and how everyone IS out to get me, then I'm back to riding how I should.

 

[MMDad]

and make a federal hands free requirement for mobile phone calls in vehicles.

What good does it do to have hands free if the driver is still concentrating on the phone call and not the road?

Even if you completely remove cell phones from the conversation, you'll still have people eating, putting on makeup, reading, looking at maps, thinking about dinner, or staring at the plane passing overhead.

Cell phones are just a visible reminder that people are distracted. People were distracted and killed bikers before cellphones ever came along. We have made our roads and cars so easy and safe that people take their driving for granted and zone out.

I've driven in Puerto Rico and Sicily. Both places are insane to drive. But I never saw a crash. Why? Everyone knew that if they didn't pay attention to what was happening around them, they could die.

We aren't going to fix distracted drivers, so the only thing bikers can do is exactly what Pete said: expect them to do stupid things and be ready for it.

 

[aps45819]

I thought the majority of motorcyycle accidents were single vehicle.. rider losing control of his ride..

No.

Research indicates that the major cause of motorcycle accidents remains the failure of other motorists to recognize motorcyclists in heavy traffic or at night. Statistics shows that about 70% of the collisions are a result of this.

The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.

Leading cause of death is head injury.
You're required by law to wear one so why some folks insist on the "novelty" beanies is beyond my understanding. If you HAVE to wear one, why not wear one that actuall covers your ENTIRE head and provides protection to your ENTIRE head when (not if) you fall down.

 

[MMDad]

Check out the two vehicle fatal motorcycle crash report here:

Latest Releases | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation

Interesting stuff when you look at how many were still the riders fault.

 

[dustin]

Federal Requirements = More Taxes

That said, I do believe we need some sort of graduated/tiered motorcycle licensing program in place.

 

[Foxhound]

What good does it do to have hands free if the driver is still concentrating on the phone call and not the road?

Even if you completely remove cell phones from the conversation, you'll still have people eating, putting on makeup, reading, looking at maps, thinking about dinner, or staring at the plane passing overhead.

Cell phones are just a visible reminder that people are distracted. People were distracted and killed bikers before cellphones ever came along. We have made our roads and cars so easy and safe that people take their driving for granted and zone out.

I've driven in Puerto Rico and Sicily. Both places are insane to drive. But I never saw a crash. Why? Everyone knew that if they didn't pay attention to what was happening around them, they could die.

We aren't going to fix distracted drivers, so the only thing bikers can do is exactly what Pete said: expect them to do stupid things and be ready for it.

When you have a hands free headset you are less likely to skip checking your blind spots because your holing a phone up to your melon head. Your head movement is not restricted and you can have both hands on the wheel. It is easier to concentrate on traffic when you don't have to concentrate on keeping the dang phone up.

True phones are not the only distraction but you are as likely to get in an accident while on a cell phone as you are if your drunk. A dang headset doesn't cost that much and if you have to use a phone in a car you should invest in one for your own safety as well as others.

 

[itsbob]

When you have a hands free headset you are less likely to skip checking your blind spots because your holing a phone up to your melon head. Your head movement is not restricted and you can have both hands on the wheel. It is easier to concentrate on traffic when you don't have to concentrate on keeping the dang phone up.

True phones are not the only distraction but you are as likely to get in an accident while on a cell phone as you are if your drunk. A dang headset doesn't cost that much and if you have to use a phone in a car you should invest in one for your own safety as well as others.

I've got a cell phone hooked up through blue tooth to my helmet.

I only use it on LONG trips so BG can call and get updates if she likes, and I can call her and tell her where I am and what I'm up to, BUT even though it's totally hands free, I still don't feel like I'm focused when I'm talking on it and tend to keep the calls REAL short.. like.. "HI.. I'm good, I'm at... , talk to you late BYE!!"

 

[Foxhound]

I've got a cell phone hooked up through blue tooth to my helmet.

I only use it on LONG trips so BG can call and get updates if she likes, and I can call her and tell her where I am and what I'm up to, BUT even though it's totally hands free, I still don't feel like I'm focused when I'm talking on it and tend to keep the calls REAL short.. like.. "HI.. I'm good, I'm at... , talk to you late BYE!!"

I agree with you there Bob. Even with a hands free you do have to devote some of your brain to the conversation. I guess it detracts from reaction time some.

It has been shown that using a hands free headset or speaker phone hookup reduces your likely hood of an accident. Again I think this is because when you have to hold a phone up to your head you are less likely to turn your head to check blind spots, your hand is occupied instead of on the steering wheel, and your peripheral vision is affected on the side you hold your phone. Imagine someone on the phone in traffic with a standard transmission.

 

[aps45819]

Imagine someone on the phone in traffic with a standard transmission.

Been there, done that. Call usuall consist of "Call you back when I can"

 

[ItalianScallion]

What good does it do to have hands free if the driver is still concentrating on the phone call and not the road?

Even if you completely remove cell phones from the conversation, you'll still have people eating, putting on makeup, reading, looking at maps, thinking about dinner, or staring at the plane passing overhead.

Cell phones are just a visible reminder that people are distracted. People were distracted and killed bikers before cellphones ever came along.

I've driven in Puerto Rico and Sicily. Both places are insane to drive. But I never saw a crash. Why? Everyone knew that if they didn't pay attention to what was happening around them, they could die.

We aren't going to fix distracted drivers, so the only thing bikers can do is exactly what Pete said: expect them to do stupid things and be ready for it.

Exactly!
Biker safe driving class 101;
If you're new to bike riding, stay away from high traffic roads.
Never stay next to any other vehicle.
Everyone on the road is a danger to you. Expect them NOT to see you!
Class over.