It’s unfortunate, but also a fact that the number of motorcyclists killed on highways has increased. It’s also a fact that some of these fatalities are the result of drinking and riding.
Motorcycles are about riding in the wind and a sense of freedom. No one likes a “drink-and-drive” lecture, especially me. But I suggest we take a moment of pause and reflect on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics. Recently released information tells a very compelling and sad story.
Motorcycle fatalities now account for 13 percent of all traffic fatalities and, in 2007 alone, the number of motorcycle riders or passengers killed on the nation’s roads increased 6.6 percent over the previous year. In 2006 twenty-seven (27) percent of all motorcycle operators killed in crashes had BAC levels of .08 or higher. In the same year an additional seven (7) percent of motorcycle operators who had lower BAC (.01 to .07) also died in traffic crashes. That’s 34% folks! Even more concerning is that the target demographic for Harley-Davidson motorcycle sales (30 to 49 years old) have the highest rates of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes.
Houston, we have a problem! Clearly too many people are riding impaired. To bring more attention to the issue the NHTSA announced a new advertisement series focused on motorcycle safety and drunken RIDING. They can be viewed here. NHTSA collects crash statistics annually from 50 states and you can click here to view the 2007 report in its entirety.
Please ride smart and sober!
Poster photo courtesy of NHTSA.
You know, I always look at the statistics on motorcycle crashes, injuries and death with a grain of salt. Sure they continue to rise.
So in fact do the number of motorcycle riders and registrations. State Sen. Vicki Walker is proposing for next legislative session that all new riders getting an endorsement for the first time MUST take the Team Oregon safety course.
Originally it was thought that there would also be a requirement for any rider renewing their endorsement but due to the outcry from ABATE and other groups this idea was dropped.
Personally, although against government intrusion on a regular basis I support the idea of mandatory first time endorsement training.
Team Oregon has consistently been rates the number 1 motorcycle training program in the country, and we can vastly reduce the number of accidents through rider training and public awareness of motorcycles.
There will however always be that segment of society that thinks it is ok to drink and ride or drink and drive. It appears that in fact, fixing stupid is not possible.
I would love to see the statistics on motorcycle Vs cage collisions as opposed to single vehicle motorcycle accidents. I’m betting that far more occur in the first group.
I have been told the fastest growing demographic of motorcycle riders in the last 10 years has been men from 40 to 50 years of age, most of whom have not ridden in decades due to raising families. A good portion of these guys think they “know how” to ride a motorcycle. And, having a few more bucks in their pocket than the younger guys, go out and buy the biggest bike they can, but, neglect to take the rider safety course. They are also the largest group having crashes on bikes as well, not the zoom splat crowd.
There are numerous ways we can strive to bring down the number of motorcycle related injuries and deaths, however it is more of a social ill on the drinking and riding part, and I fear that there will always be a certain percentage who engage in this risky behavior.
WJ
Let’s not forget, that all alcohol contains sufficient drug ability, to dish out many illness’s, 99% of which have NO cure at all, as well, staysfor a life time !!
Upon our discovery of this little tid bit of news, my late husband & I were hit severely with Grand Mal Seizures,
somewhat relative to Epilepsy. AND this is just one of many afflictions liquor likes to ‘gift’ humanity !!!
Good piece.
Unfortunately, way to many of our brethren have died due to alcohol related crashes.
Thanks for posting this important article. Keep up the good work.
http://www.harleydavidsonhub.info
[…] Alcohol Related Motorcycle Accidents I suggest we take a moment of pause and reflect on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics. Recently released information tells a very compelling and sad story. […]
Thanks for sharing this information. I always find it interesting reading statistics.