1. Using Data to Improve Motorcycle Safety
Maryland Motorcycle Safety Committee
I would like to thank the sponsors of this conference for the opportunity to present this study. I would like to acknowledge my colleagues read names for their efforts with this project.

2. VMT In 2002 5,004,682 registered motorcycles
9,552,414,605 vehicle miles traveled
1,908 miles traveled per registered motorcycle
Down from 1,965 in 2001

3. Overview
National Perspective
State of the state
Beyond helmets

4. Objectives Prevent motorcycle crashes Mitigate rider injury
Provide appropriate response and treatment

5. Nationally In 2002… 3,244 fatalities (up 35% since 1992)
65,000 injuries (relatively unchanged since 1992)

6. Motorcyclists Represent 1% of all motor vehicles
Involved in 5% of fatal motor vehicle collisions
Nearly 20 times more likely to be injured or die in a motor vehicle collision than occupants of passenger cars

7. What makes motorcycle crashes special???
80% result in injury or death
20% for passenger cars
Lack of crashworthiness and occupant protection systems
Lower visibility
Inherent operational differences

8. Licensing
One out of four motorcycle operators in 2002 had an invalid license

9. Increasing popularity
New sales have almost doubled since ’97
Corresponding increase in vehicle miles traveled

10. Motorcycle Fatalities and Injuries (per 100,000 registered vehicles)

11. Motorcycle Fatalities and Injuries (per 100 million VMT)

12. Fatalities by age group

13. Also increasing… Owner age Mean engine displacement
15% over 40 in 1980
44% over 40 in 1998
Mean engine displacement
769 cc in 1990
959 cc in 2001

14. Helmet Law repeals before and after
Kentucky %
Arkansas %
Louisiana %
Texas %
Increase in fatalities comparing two years before and after repeal
At the same time, US motorcycle fatalities increased 50%, registrations increased by 12% and miles traveled increased by 5.6%
Florida %

15. State of the state

19. Route Type Total Crashes Percent Crashes Interstate 80 6.4 US 102 8.1
Figure 5h – Motorcycle Crash Route Type
Route Type
Total Crashes
Percent
Crashes
Interstate 80
6.4 US
102
8.1
State (MD)
424
33.7
County
404
32.1
Municipal 58
4.6
Government
0.0
Service
Other Public 16
1.3
Balt City
111
8.8
Unknown 63
5.0
Total
1,258
100.0

20. Injury Severity

21. Hospital Length of Stay and Charge Percentile
Days of Hospital Stay
(Percentile)
Hospital Charges
Mechanism
Number
25th
Median
75th
Driver
3,684 1 4
3,097
4,266
9,893
Passenger
1,458 2
3,010
4,330
10,195
Motorcyclist
574 5
3,678
7,529
17,577
Pedal Cyclist
106 3
2,860
4,728
11,331
Pedestrian
724
3,545
6,890
16,887
Unspecified
250
3,134
5,852
13,513
Total
6,796
3,159
4,552
11,615

22. One set of numbers…
The number of motorcycle crashes increased from 966 to 1,258 (24%) between 1998 and 2002

23. Two stories…
The crash rate (per 10,000 registered motorcycles) decreased from 192 to 175 (9%) between 1998 and 2002.

24. Still…
Motorcycle fatalities increased by 65% between 1998 and 2002 (34 to 52)
Crash and fatality rate per licensed operator increased by 22% and 44% respectively

25. More than just helmets Inter-relating factors Licensing Motorcycle Age
Fault
Training

26. For example…
Only 40% MC operators in a crash were reported to have a motorcycle endorsement
Those unlicensed were more likely to be found at fault

27. For example…
Divide motorcycles into two groups with similar characteristics
HD vs all others (Honda, Suzuki, etc)
Crash involved HD operators more likely to have a motorcycle endorsement
HD operators more likely to be older

28. MD Motorcycle Safety Committee
Law Enforcement
Helmets collected as evidence
MVA Rider Safety Training Course
Increase rider training
Rider Interviews
Investigating crash circumstances
Rider behaviors and attitudes
The Maryland Motorcycle Safety committee has been formed to address the issues associated with the increase in fatalities. The committee comprises NHTSA, SHA, MVA, police, National Study Center and other agency. To date, the following programs are under way.
To collect helmets as evidence as opposed to debris.
Increase rider training
Investigate crash circumstances
On a national level, collect data on rider behaviors and attitudes

29. Investigating the role of motorcycle training classes
University of Alabama study showed a correlation between lower mortality rates and states that require
A skill tests for motorcycle permit applicants
Require longer duration for permits
Restrictions on drivers with permits
Maryland’s own in-state evaluation
NHTSA Motorcycle Safety Program

30. Motorcycle Safety Human Factors Vehicle Role Environmental Conditions
Crash Prevention (Pre-Crash)
-Rider education/licensing
-Impaired riding
-Motorist Awareness
-Safety Programs
-Brakes, Tires, controls
-Lighting/visibility
-Compliance testing
-Roadway design, construction, operations
-Roadway maintenance
Injury Mitigation (Crash)
-Use of protective gear
-Occupant protection
Roadside design, construction
Emergency Response (Post-crash)
-Automatic crash notification
-EMS education
-Bystander care
-Law Enforcement
-Data collection and analysis

31. Questions???