The effects of protective gear and riding experience on motorcycle fatalities

Abstract

Motorcyclists are one of the most at risk populations on public roads in the United States (2010). While all motorcyclists are required undergo supplemental licensure examinations, and in many states riders are required to wear helmets, there is still a great discrepancy between motorcycle related fatalities and automobile related fatalities – in 2010, this discrepancy was 30 to 1 (2010). This thesis examines current licensure policies and helmet laws across the United States in order to determine if any additional steps can be taken to better protect motorcyclists. Additionally, the use of different types of motorcycles was examined as a means of identifying and better protecting at-risk motorcycle drivers. The goal of this thesis is to determine the effectiveness of protective gear and motorcycle rider experience in preventing motorcycle fatalities and to examine how licensure and training requirements for motorcyclists could affect the number of fatalities of motorcycle riders in the United States of America. Motorcycles make up less than 1% of all vehicles on the road, but are responsible for 12% of all motor vehicle accident related costs in the United States. Additionally, it was found that motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than an automobile driver. Helmet laws and enforcement of anti-drinking and driving laws were found to significantly decrease rider fatalities. [TRUNCATED]