The Role of Rider Education in Motorcycle Safety SMSA 2014 Symposium Andrew Krajewski ASK for SMSA 2014

Comprehensive Motorcycle Safety Program Highway Safety Program Guideline No. 3 - Motorcycle Safety Each state’s highway safety program should include a comprehensive motorcycle safety program that aims to reduce motorcycle crashes and related deaths and injuries. 11 Components identified in Guideline No. 3 ASK for SMSA 2014

The Role of Rider Education in Motorcycle Safety VII. Law Enforcement VIII. Highway Engineering IX. Motorcycle Rider Conspicuity and Motorist Awareness X. Communication Program XI. Program Evaluation and Data I. Program Management II. Motorcycle Personal Protective Equipment III. Motorcycle Operator Licensing IV. Motorcycle Rider Education and Training V. Motorcycle Operation Under the Influence of Alcohol or Other Drugs VI. Legislation and Regulations ASK for SMSA 2014

Concerns from 2012 Fatal Motorcycle Crashes In 75% of the crashes the motorcycle collided with a vehicle in front of them Motorcyclists are more likely to hit a fixed object than another vehicle In 41% of two vehicle crashes the other vehicle turned left in front of a motorcycle going straight, passing or overtaking another vehicle In 34% of the crashes, the motorcyclist was exceeding the speed limit In 24% of the crashes the motorcyclists were riding without a valid license 29% of the motorcyclists had a BAC of .08 or higher 43% of the motorcyclists in single vehicle crashes had a BAC of .08 or higher NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2012 Data, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis ASK for SMSA 2014

State Crash Data Single vehicle and multi-vehicle crashes almost a 50-50 split Motorcyclists at fault in approximately 50% of the crashes and contribute in additional 25% Speed and aggressive operation by the motorcyclist Distracted Impaired ASK for SMSA 2014

The Role of Rider Education in Motorcycle Safety Is rider education addressing these concern? ASK for SMSA 2014

What we know about rider education It has been in existence for over 40 years - probably the first motorcycle safety initiative Over 7 million individuals have completed motorcycle rider training Endorsed by motorcyclists, national organizations, advocacy groups, manufacturers Federal and state funds are still available Is the most prevalent motorcycle safety initiative used by the states ASK for SMSA 2014

What we know about rider education Approximately $41 million is budgeted annually by states Over 400,000 individuals annually complete rider training Entry level courses are the most popular and best attended Requirements and incentives are still needed to encourage participation ASK for SMSA 2014

What we know about rider education or training continued Most common reason for enrolling in entry level course – licensing waiver Limited evidence that rider training is effective Rider training requires a lot of resources and can be expensive to administer Few entry level “graduates” seek out or enroll in additional training ASK for SMSA 2014

Course Graduates with a License May not immediately get involved in motorcycling – could be as high as 40% Inexperience (on-road) is a concern May only be active motorcyclists for a short period of time Do crash and sometimes at a higher rate than untrained ASK for SMSA 2014

Most States Evaluate their training effort by the numbers trained annually or per student cost Have not implemented a process to “track” students after course completion Have not measured or evaluated their rider training effort Believe rider education is the “corner stone” of their motorcycle safety effort ASK for SMSA 2014

The Role of Rider Education in Motorcycle Safety What is the role of rider education in a state’s motorcycle safety effort? Be a crash countermeasure Develop basic knowledge and skill Encourage licensing ASK for SMSA 2014

The Role of Rider Education in Motorcycle Safety Rider education is NOT the “silver bullet” - Countermeasures that Work - Limited or no evidence Rider education is not Motorcycle Safety – it is a component in a comprehensive approach The role rider education plays: May not have been clearly defined or understood Is easily misrepresented and misinterpreted Is often exaggerated ASK for SMSA 2014

The Role of Rider Education in Motorcycle Safety Rider education currently: “Touches” thousands of people annually Does an excellent job of teaching basic knowledge and skills Encourages individuals to obtain a license Reduces state license issuing costs Is accepted by government agencies, national organizations, motorcyclists and the public ASK for SMSA 2014

The Role of Rider Education in Motorcycle Safety Who decides the role rider education plays? The state should decide the role rider education will play in its motorcycle safety effort ASK for SMSA 2014

The Role of Rider Education in Motorcycle Safety Should rider education address the issues and concerns identified in the state’s motorcycle crash data (problem identification)? ASK for SMSA 2014

The Role of Rider Education in Motorcycle Safety State options for rider education Status quo - Continue to train primarily entry level riders and some current riders Report numbers trained Issue licenses through licensing waiver Focus on training new instructors, updating instructors, quality assurance, preventing instructor “drift”, purchasing training motorcycles, doing outreach events, purchasing training motorcycles and equipment and protecting dedicated funds ASK for SMSA 2014

The Role of Rider Education in Motorcycle Safety State options for rider education - continued Explore ways to make it an integral and essential part of the motorcycle safety effort Incorporate state crash information into classroom and skill exercises Develop and implement an on-going process to evaluate the value and impact of rider education on the state’s motorcycle safety effort ASK for SMSA 2014

The Role of Rider Education in Motorcycle Safety State options for rider education - continued Distribute information regarding motorcycle safety issues to participants prior, during and after the course Collect and link training information to other state databases to assist in conducting research and evaluating the state’s motorcycle safety effort Explore approaches to share resources and funds to support other motorcycle safety projects in the state’s motorcycle safety effort ASK for SMSA 2014

The Role of Rider Education in Motorcycle Safety Other options that may impact motorcycle safety concerns Study the feasibility and value of an introductory course Give consideration to using personally owned motorcycles or larger engine displacement training motorcycles in entry level courses Re-evaluate the licensing waiver program to determine what training would be appropriate for licensing Consider creating and implementing a “mentoring” effort to assist new riders to gain “road” experience Ask the motorcyclists what would encourage them to participate in life- long learning ASK for SMSA 2014

The Role of Rider Education in Motorcycle Safety Is your rider education program contributing to the reduction of motorcycle crashes, injuries and fatalities in your state? Is it part of your state’s comprehensive motorcycle safety effort? ASK for SMSA 2014

Contact information Andy Krajewski akrajewski@smsa.org ASK for SMSA 2014

The Role of Rider Education in Motorcycle Safety Rider Training Enrollment and Completion Data Course Participant Information Crash Data Motorist (road user) Information EMS Reports Collect, Analyze and Interpret Data Create Action Plan for Rider Training Citation Data Hospital Reports Highway and Traffic Engineering Licensing Data Vehicle Registration Data ASK for SMSA 2014