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OCR for page 16
SECTION V
Description of Strategies
Objectives of the Emphasis Area
The objectives for improving motorcycle safety and increasing the awareness of the unique
characteristics of motorcycles are:
· Incorporate motorcycle-friendly roadway design, traffic control, construction, and main-
tenance policies and practices
· Reduce the number of motorcycle crashes due to rider impairment
· Reduce the number of motorcycle crashes due to unlicensed or untrained motorcycle riders
· Increase the visibility of motorcyclists
· Reduce the severity of motorcycle crashes
· Increase motorcycle rider safety awareness
· Increase safety enhancements for motorcyclists
· Improve motorcycle safety research, data and analysis
Explanation of Objectives
In order to more properly understand the particular safety problems related to motorcycle
use, improvements in traffic research and data analysis are necessary. Historically, roadway
safety studies have focused on passenger cars and trucks and have neglected to consider
motorcyclists as an individual roadway user group. Thus, the safety issues that may be
unique to motorcyclists are not well documented. Furthermore, motorcycles are often
overlooked during standardized crash data gathering efforts.
Considering the needs of motorcyclists during the planning and construction of roadways
can reduce the likelihood of motorcycle crashes. Creating a motorcycle-friendly environment
goes beyond providing a gentle alignment, but also includes keeping the roadway free
of foreign debris, providing a safe roadside free of objects or obstacles to motorcyclists,
maintaining safe roadway surfaces during maintenance projects, and providing sufficient
warning devices to motorcyclists prior to encountering potentially dangerous zones.
As with all types of motor vehicle traffic, alcohol use by motorcycle operators continues
to be a problem. Research shows that alcohol-related fatalities among motorcyclists are
proportionally higher than in any other motor vehicle group. In 2003, 30 percent of all
fatally injured motorcycle operators had BAC levels of 0.08 g/dl or higher. An additional
7 percent had lower alcohol levels (BAC 0.01 to 0.07 g/dl) (NHTSA, 2004).
A preemptive measure in trying to reduce the number of motorcycle crashes is to
ensure proper training and licensing of motorcyclists before they reach the roadways.
V-1
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SECTION V--DESCRIPTION OF STRATEGIES
Even though all 50 states require separate driver's license endorsements to operate a
motorcycle and 47 states sponsor rider education courses (with 18 of those states having
universal training programs), it has been estimated that 20 percent of the motorcycle
population is either unlicensed or improperly licensed. Even more alarming is that more
than 40 percent of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes are improperly licensed
(TRB, 1994).
A common complaint of many motorcyclists is that passenger car drivers often do not see
them and, as a result, violate the motorcyclists' right-of-way. The Hurt Study, Motorcycle
Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures (Hurt et al., 1981), identified
that riders who wore camouflage or other hard-to-see apparel were over-represented in
right-of-way crashes, suggesting that conspicuity also plays a role in crash avoidance. The
predominant color of motorcycle apparel is black: black leather jackets, black gloves and
boots, and black helmets. The problem with black is that it is inconspicuous in the day and,
in the absence of any retro-reflective material, invisible at night or in low-light conditions.
Motorcyclists can immediately and inexpensively improve conspicuity, and thus their safety,
by wearing retro-reflective material on their clothes and helmets. Retro-reflective vests are
especially effective at increasing visibility at night.
A study by Sosin and Sacks (1992) found more than 50 percent of all motorcycle-related
fatalities were mainly attributed to head injuries. This study along with many others
indicates that helmets are the single most important piece of protective equipment that a
motorcyclist has at his or her disposal. NHTSA estimates that from 1986 through 1996
motorcycle helmets have prevented more than 7,900 motorcyclist fatalities and saved over
$10 billion in related costs. Increasing the use of effective FMVSS 218 compliant helmets is
universally accepted as a key motorcycle safety goal. Two approaches to work toward
achieving an increase in the use of FMVSS 218 compliant helmets include: campaigns to
promote helmet use and universal helmet laws. These approaches vary in ease of
implementation and the level of rider community acceptance.
The last objective deals with the need to enhance motorcycle safety, both on the motorcycle
itself and within the roadway system. Continuing research is bringing several standard
motor vehicle safety features to the motorcycle industry (such as anti-lock braking systems)
and with a maintained focus, technology is sure to provide additional protection through
advancements. Additionally, motorcycle detection for operational and warning systems
needs to be investigated and improved.
Strategies designed to fulfill these objectives are presented in Exhibit V-1. For a more
detailed arrangement of strategies, according to cost and implementation time frame, see
Section IV of this guide.
EXHIBIT V-1
Objectives and Strategies to Address Motorcycle Collisions
Objectives Strategies
11.1 A Incorporate motorcycle-friendly 11.1 A1 Provide full paved shoulders to accommodate roadside
roadway design, traffic control, motorcycle recovery and breakdowns (T)
construction, and maintenance
policies and practices 11.1 A2 Consider motorcycles in the selection of roadside barriers (E)
V-2
OCR for page 18
SECTION V--DESCRIPTION OF STRATEGIES
EXHIBIT V-1 (Continued)
Objectives and Strategies to Address Motorcycle Collisions
Objectives Strategies
11.1 A3 Identify pavement markings, surface materials, and other
treatments that reduce traction for motorcycles and treat or replace
with high-traction material (T)
11.1 A4 Maintain the roadway to minimize surface irregularities and
discontinuities (T)
11.1 A5 Maintain roadway surfaces in work zones to facilitate safe
passage of motorcycles (T)
11.1 A6 Reduce roadway debris such as gravel, shorn treads, snow
and ice control treatments (sand/salt), and that resulting from
uncovered loads from the roadway and roadside (T)
11.1 A7 Provide advance warning signs to alert motorcyclists of
reduced traction and irregular roadway surfaces (T)
11.1 A8 Incorporate motorcycle safety considerations into routine
roadway inspections (E)
11.1 A9 Provide a mechanism for notifying highway agencies of
roadway conditions that present a potential problem to motorcyclists (E)
11.1 B Reduce the number of 11.1 B1 Increase motorcyclist awareness of the risks of impaired
motorcycle crashes due to rider motorcycle operation (T)
impairment
11.1 B2 Expand existing impaired driving prevention programs to
include motorcycle riders and specific motorcycle events (T)
11.1 B3 Target law enforcement to specific motorcycle rider
impairment behaviors that have been shown to contribute to crashes (T)
11.1 C Reduce the number of 11.1 C1 Increase awareness of the causes of crashes due to unlicensed
motorcycle crashes due to unlicensed or untrained motorcycle riders (E)
or untrained motorcycle riders
11.1 C2 Ensure that licensing and rider training programs adequately
teach and measure skills and behaviors required for crash avoidance (T)
11.1 C3 Identify and remove barriers to obtaining a motorcycle
endorsement (T)
11.1 D Increase the visibility of 11.1 D1 Increase the awareness of the benefit of high-visibility
motorcyclists clothing (E)
11.1 D2 Identify and promote rider visibility-enhancement methods
and technology (T)
11.1 E Reduce the severity of 11.1 E1 Increase the use of FMVSS 218 compliant helmets (P)
motorcycle crashes
11.1 E2 Increase the use of protective clothing (T)
11.1 F Increase motorcycle rider 11.1 F1 Form strategic alliances with motorcycle user community to
safety awareness foster and promote motorcycle safety (T)
11.1 F2 Increase awareness of the consequences of aggressive
riding, riding while fatigued or impaired, unsafe riding, and poor traffic
strategies (T)
11.1 F3 Educate operators of other vehicles to be more conscious of
the presence of motorcyclists (T)
V-3
