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Interesting Facts
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October 9, 2008 at 1:38 pm #2228Sangria7Participant
Interesting how increased engine displacement plus age of rider = increased fatality. Luckily I am not over 40 nor have anything close to a 900cc lol….
This is a list of motorcycle deaths in U.S. by year from 1997 to 2006. Motorcycle fatalities have increased each year since reaching an historic low of 2,116 fatalities in 1997. In nine years, motorcycle deaths have more than doubled in the United States.
Number of motorcycle deaths per year, U.S.:
1997—2,116
1998—2,294
1999—2,483
2000—2,897
2001—3,197 (some NHTSA lists show 3,181)
2002—3,244
2003—3,661 (some NHTSA lists show 3,714)
2004—4,008
2005—4,553
2006—4,810
2007—5,154
Since 1980, motorcycle ownership among riders aged 40 and over has increased dramatically, from 15.1 percent in 1980 to 43.7 percent in 1998. The mean engine displacement of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes has also increased, from an average engine size of 769cc in 1990, to 959cc in 2001, an increase of 24.7 percent.This combination of older riders on higher-powered motorcycles is partially responsible for a steady increase in motorcycle deaths from the late 1990s until 2004.
Half of motorcycle fatalities in single vehicle crashes relate to problems negotiating a curve prior to a crash—almost 60 percent of motorcyclist fatalities in single vehicle crashes occur at night.
October 9, 2008 at 1:41 pm #13588AndrewParticipantThe problem with stats like these is that the population has increased in the same time period so it’s hard to know how the percentage of riders in the population compares with the fatalities.
October 9, 2008 at 2:06 pm #13592RupmiscParticipantNot saying the original poster was wrong, but am saying that those stats don’t show a helluva lot. Some random thoughts:
Between 1980 to 1998, a lot of people who were 25 in 1980 were 43 in 1998.
Using the “age” theory, with growth in engine displacement assumes a correlation which doesn’t necessarily exist.
Theory ignores stats from auto crashes which show younger drivers have a much higher accident rate. “Older drivers” can be a problem, too – but, I believe, these are generally considered to be age 70+. I’ll take a mature 40-65 year old, with a bunch of road experience and a little maturity, over an 18 year old with an itch for speed.
Theory also ignores change in cars over the same period (both HP and handling at speed). Where most compact cars can cruise comfortably at 90, the old advantages of extra acceleration for bikes have disappeared.
Cell phones, drive through food, coffee holders, multi-tasking. Lots has changed.
Crumbling infrastructure: read pot holes, bridges needing repair, hazards.
What is the number of bikes on the road?
I could go on. I’m not saying you may not be right (although I do doubt that you are), but your stats certainly are not a valid argument for your case, at least without substantial additional data.
October 9, 2008 at 2:17 pm #13594Sangria7Participantjust for clarification..this wasnt my theory. I found this through the highway safety website
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/motorcycle03/index.htm
October 9, 2008 at 2:19 pm #13595Sangria7ParticipantTheir study shows:
A recent analysis of age trends shows that over the past 10 years, fatalities in the 20 to 29 year old age group, the group with consistently the highest annual number of motorcycle fatalities, decreased, while fatalities in the 40 and over age groups increased. During this time, however, there were more driving age individuals in the 40 and over age group in the United States.
Since 1980, motorcycle ownership among the 40 and over age group has increased significantly, from 15.1 percent in 1980 to 43.7 percent in 1998. [4]
Likewise, rural motorcycle fatalities have been increasing and have, in fact, surpassed urban fatalities in the years 1998 through 2001.
Another recent trend indicates that the engine size of the majority of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes has been increasing, as well. The mean engine displacement of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes has increased from an average engine size of 769 cc in 1990 to 959 cc in 2001, an increase of 24.7 percent.
Further, the mean age of motorcyclists’ fatalities has also increased from 29.3 years in 1990 to 36.3 years in 2001. The analysis also indicates a corresponding rise in the average age of motorcyclists killed and greater involvement of motorcycles with larger engines in fatal crashes.
According to NHTSA’s National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), a nationally representative observational survey of motorcycle helmet, safety belt, and child safety seat use, helmet use for motorcycle operators fell from 71 percent in 2000 to 58 percent in 2002. This drop is statistically significant and corresponds to a striking 45 percent increase in nonuse.
Rider impairment and speeding also remain major contributing factors in these unnecessary and preventable crashes (both are discussed in greater detail later in this document); however, some other findings extracted from FARS provide further insight into possible reasons for escalating motorcyclist fatalities:
Half of the fatalities in single vehicle crashes relate to problems negotiating a curve prior to a crash;
Over 80 percent of motorcycle fatalities in single vehicle crashes occur off the roadway (a crash occurring on the shoulder, median, roadside, outside right-of-way, off roadway – location unknown, in a parking lane, separator and gore. A gore is an area of land where two roadways diverge or converge.);
Almost 60 percent of motorcyclist fatalities in single vehicle crashes occur at night;
Collisions with fixed objects are a significant factor in over half of motorcycle fatalities in single vehicle crashes
October 9, 2008 at 3:54 pm #13600BuddParticipantOlder riders on bikes with large displacements not being able to negotiate turns. Sounds like a poker run to me. I think that same study showed a very high percentage of those accidents involved alcohol. Reinforces my theory on the poker run.
I say fatalities in younger guys happen on supersports and fatalities in older guys happen on hogs.
“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine
October 9, 2008 at 4:08 pm #13604CandiceParticipantI still like to read the stats anyways, makes me think that I better not get too comfortable of course realizing that there are so many factors out there that who really knows. One of the more famous reports said that people with white helmets had a 24 percent less chance of an accident than those with other colors, now, I know this could be a total load of crap but I bought a white one just in case it’s true.
October 9, 2008 at 4:25 pm #13607NoobacycleParticipantThere are simply more and more bikers on the road today and our numbers are increasing. More riders equals more fatalities and chances for fatalities sadly. Rising gas prices have contributed to more bikes on the road which also means more inexperienced, young riders as well. In cold weather states you can even look to a select few to try and extend their riding season by a few weeks. More bikes on the road indeed.
October 9, 2008 at 5:46 pm #13614AndrewParticipantI think we would all like to be safer and stats can help. It would nice to see an updated version of the HURT report one of these days.
I wonder how many crashes involve riders who are commuting as opposed to the weekend riders.
October 10, 2008 at 12:20 am #13645MunchParticipantStats can definitely be scewed a bit one way or another…. here in NC a driver that is in the rear of an accident is automatically at fault… Hmmm… sux for the guy that came over the blind hill to find that mustang stopped in the middle of the road to score drugs ( personal experience) . However I just joined the ranks of at fault drivers. Luckily I was in my Monte and not on the Vulcan.
I would worry less about the stats wether true or not and just focus on not becoming one.1 more thing… at one time it was said that 1 in 4 people can wiggle their ears un assisted…. in my life time I have yet to meet one.
Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h -
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