OFF THE WIRE
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) released
2015 data concerning motor vehicle crashes and fatalities. This data
also included information on motorcyclist fatalities. The data comes
from NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) as well as the
National Automotive Sampling System and General Estimates System. The
information provides an overall measure of highway safety, and aids in
guiding policy solutions for federal and state lawmakers as well as
provides a basis to evaluate the effectiveness of motor vehicle safety
standards and highway safety programs.
In 2015, the nation saw an overall upward trend in vehicle crashes
and fatalities across all segments of the population. Overall, there was
a 7.2 percent increase which is the largest percentage increase in
almost 50 years. Increases in fatalities were seen in all types of
vehicles and roadway users including SUVs, vans, trucks, pedestrians,
bicyclists and motorcyclists. Specifically, motorcyclists’ fatalities in
2015 had an increase of 8.3%, the largest since 2012.
There were other statistics, specific to motorcycles that are of note:
• While the proportion of people killed ‘inside the vehicle’ (which
includes drivers and passengers of cars, trucks, etc.) has declined by
roughly 15% over the last decade, the proportion of people killed
‘outside the vehicle’ (which includes motorcyclists, pedestrians, etc.)
has increased by roughly 15% over the last ten years.
• There were increases in motorcyclist fatalities in every age group
except those 19 and under which saw fewer fatalities in 2015 than in
2014.
• Data showed that crashes due to ‘human choice’ specifically distracted driving, increased by almost 9%.
• Interestingly, there was a half percentage point drop in motorcyclists
who had been involved in fatal crashes due to alcohol-impairment. This
may suggest that some of the recent motorcycle and alcohol awareness
programs could be starting to take effect.
The NHTSA release offered some possible explanation for the overall
upward trend in fatal crashes. Specifically, it linked economic trends
like a recovering economy and lower gas prices as reasons more people
were on the road, likely due to work travel and increased recreational
travel. Warmer weather and milder winters which some of the nation saw
in 2015 were also contributing factors.
Though no specific policy solutions were offered with the NHTSA
release, it was noted that, “in States without universal helmet laws, 58
percent of motorcyclists killed in 2015 were not wearing helmets, as
compared to 8% in States with universal helmet laws.” This is likely an
indicator that NHTSA will continue its position in viewing universal
helmet laws as a solution for highway safety. This emphasizes ‘safer
crashing’ rather than crash prevention; of which many motorcyclists find
fault.
The motorcyclist community is in the process of responding to the
recently released data through reviewing and confirming the information
and preparing to work with the federal agencies to ensure that policy
solutions are achieved through the lens of crash avoidance and do not
infringe upon their personal rights. These activities will complement
the already existing efforts being achieved at the federal and state
levels like emphasis on rider education, alcohol awareness programs,
share the road initiatives, motorcyclist awareness programs and reduced
distraction efforts.
