A push for motorcycle safety

There's a new push for motorcycle safety on Southern California's freeways, led by the CHP. But should the message be for motorists, cyclists -- or both? Officials note that motorcycle deaths and injuries are up sharply:

Deaths and injuries from motorcycle crashes in the state rose by nearly 50% from 1998 to 2005, and most of those crashes involved another vehicle, according to an analysis of California Highway Patrol crash data by the Auto Club. "Every day, CHP officers witness the aftermath of tragic motorcycle crashes that could have been prevented by driving defensively and obeying traffic laws," CHP Sgt. Mark Garrett said. (CNS)

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Transportation and law enforcement officials urged motorists today to be particularly aware of motorcycles, noting that crashes involving motorcycles have risen across the state in recent years.

Officials from the Automobile Club of Southern California, the California Highway Patrol and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation staged a car-motorcycle crash at Irwindale Speedway to show how easy it is for an inattentive driver to crash into a motorcycle.

"Motorcyclists and other vehicle drivers need to learn to share the road safely so these tragedies can be prevented," said Tim Buche, president of the Motorcyle Safety Foundation.

The most common crash scenarios involve motorists turning left into the path of oncoming motorcycles, drivers suddenly backing vehicles out of a driveway without seeing a motorcycle in the roadway, and a vehicle driver changing lanes suddenly without seeing a motorcyclist in his blind spot.

According to Steven Bloch, the Auto Club’s senior research associate and analyst of the motorcycle crash statistics, all motorists should take responsibility for making the roads safer.

"Car drivers should be aware that the number of motorcycles on the road has risen sharply and that motorcycles can be much more difficult to spot than cars because of their smaller, narrower profile," Bloch said.

Deaths and injuries from motorcycle crashes in the state rose by nearly 50% from 1998 to 2005, and most of those crashes involved another vehicle, according to an analysis of CHP crash data by the Auto Club.

"Every day, CHP officers witness the aftermath of tragic motorcycle crashes that could have been prevented by driving defensively and obeying traffic laws," CHP Sgt. Mark Garrett said.

Motorcycle registrations have also risen sharply since 1998, accounting for some of the increase, but more motorcycle riders on the road can’t be the only reason for the rise in crashes, injuries and deaths, according to Bloch.

"The increase in California motorcycle registrations alone can’t fully account for the increase in motorcyclist fatalities," Bloch said. "Other possible factors are an increase in the number of miles that motorcyclists are riding and increased speeding by motorcyclists and all vehicles."

Comments

[Postergal]

Motorcycle as a mode of transportation can be very risky. Be sure to wear safety gears before stepping on the pedal.

[legal pincher]

Road sharing may be the key to bike road safety however, it would be better if bikers are given or designated a specific lane for them to use. It would also help if motorists undergo special courses on good driving behavior and attitude before being issued licenses.

[Cali]

Motorcycle accidents are really on the rise. We hear such incidents here and there. Despite of it, people still want to ride motorcycles. Even if you are careful and have all the protection gears, the things is, there are still negligent motorists on the road.

[LAlegaldefender]

Motorcycle riding is dangerous enough and an inattentive rider even makes it more dangerous for himself and other road users. With the rising number of bike users, I urge stricter implementation of traffic laws.

[Cali]

Motorcycles or the likes, I think, are the most dangerous mode of transportation. Its physical make up alone will make you think twice on stepping on the gas. It gives no protection other than the breaks and the protection gears that the rider has.

[Mark Lipski]

Motorcycle accidents can be reduced significantly if more people driving bikes knew about a new safety feature now available. The TCB Brake System is now applicable for all motorcycles with disc brakes. Similar to Anti-Lock brakes a simple replacement of a bolt can change the way you drive and stop. The TCB helps eliminate wheel lock-up automatically every time you brake. My only problem is letting the world know it is available!

Please tell me what you think,

Mark Lipski; Inventor
TCB Brake Systems
903 569 2998

[Mick]

The CHP could start by enforcing the existing helmet law. It really annoyed me when CHP HQ in Sacramento sent out a memo to the CHP offices about ten years ago telling us that officers had to stop enforcing the illegal beanie helmets that Harley type motorcyclists were wearing. Because after all, how could we, a simple officer, tell if it was illegal.

[David Wright]

I fail to understand why everyone insists on wearing black while traveling on a motorcycle. The Fonzi look is a fashion trend that died a long time ago. Is the gang biker look alike style getting you the respect you think you deserve. Join the trend of motorcycle safety and you may never know the pain you avoided by not being creamed by some distracted soccer mom busy talking on a cell phone in her SUV. You may not think you look real stylish wearing safety green, but those open back hospital gowns aren't exactly trendy.

[jimmm]

idiots on harleys, who should be driving camrys.

[yours truly, johnny dollar]

Leslie, my dear Leslie...welcome to California (this is not Kansas);
there is no Santa Claus; there is no tooth fairy (well, maybe in some
parts of LA--maybe bad choice of examples) and there is no Dodgers
in the play-offs; but, there is a well-run highly profitable parking lot
where Dodgers baseball was once played.
Lane sharing is real.

[yours truly, johnny dollar]

Leslie, my dear Leslie...welcome to California (this is not Kansas);
there is no Santa Claus; there is no tooth fairy (well, maybe in some
parts of LA--maybe bad choice of examples) and there is no Dodgers
in the play-offs; but, there is a well-run highly profitable parking lot
where Dodgers baseball was once played.
Lane sharing is real.

[Leslie]

I'm new to California and I was shocked to learn that cyclists can pass by merging between two cars. What about the safety of the motorcylists as well as other motorists?

[Matt Kaminsky]

Learning how to share the road is becoming a bigger & bigger issue. Most people would benefit from a refresher course in traffic safety. How many of us have even reviewed traffic laws since taking our first drving exam? In this day of cell phones, drive-thrus, overpoplation and road rage, much more focus needs to be placed on driver attitude and behavior. I just took a great online traffic school course that specifically focused on these issues. I'm surprised at the impact it had on me and would suggest that everyone look into a refresher course. The one I took was: http://www.BESTtrafficschool.com

[Matt Kaminsky]

Learning how to share the road is becoming a bigger & bigger issue. Most people would benefit from a refresher course in traffic safety. How many of us have even reviewed traffic laws since taking our first drving exam? In this day of cell phones, drive-thrus, overpoplation and road rage, much more focus needs to be placed on driver attitude and behavior. I just took a great online traffic school course that specifically focused on these issues. I'm surprised at the impact it had on me and would suggest that everyone look into a refresher course. The one I took was: http://www.BESTtrafficschool.com

[Matt Kaminsky]

Learning how to share the road is becoming a bigger & bigger issue. Most people would benefit from a refresher course in traffic safety. How many of us have even reviewed traffic laws since taking our first drving exam? In this day of cell phones, drive-thrus, overpoplation and road rage, much more focus needs to be placed on driver attitude and behavior. I just took a great online traffic school course that specifically focused on these issues. I'm surprised at the impact it had on me and would suggest that everyone look into a refresher course. The one I took was: http://www.BESTtrafficschool.com

[dayrider]

Isn't it simply that the raising price of gas has converted more commuter to riding motorcycle? Then an increase in number would be seen even without a change in percent of riders who have accidents.
On the other hand, new riders may be inexperienced and more exposed as well.
And more to come!