Rider Training & Education Contributes Little to Motorcycle Safety
(According to U.S. Safety Experts)
Many reputable groups within the highway safety community have taken the position that motorcycle rider training and education contributes little to motorcycle safety. It is their position that rider education does not have a discernable impact on motorcycle safety, and universal helmet laws are the only reliable method of reducing motorcycle fatalities. Do not take my word for it. Here is what the experts have to say:
“While basic rider courses teach important skills, the effectiveness of training as a safety countermeasure to reduce motorcycle crashes is unclear.” (Traffic Safety Facts, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – March 2010)
“There is no scientific evidence that motorcycle rider training reduces crash risk and is an adequate substitute for an all-rider helmet law.” (Lethal Loopholes, Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety – January 2015)
“Laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets are the only strategy proved to be effective in reducing motorcyclist fatalities.” (Motorcycle Safety: Increasing Federal Funding Flexibility and Identifying Research Priorities Would Help Support States’ Safety Efforts, U.S. Government Accountability Office – November 2012)
“Helmets are the only safety measure proven to save lives.” (Motorcycle Safety: How to Save Lives and Save Money, Center for Disease Control and Prevention – June 2012)
Before I start to get angry emails concerning the value of motorcycle helmets, let me be clear that my purpose in writing this has nothing to do with riders wearing or not wearing motorcycle helmets. I am merely questioning a position shared by many within the highway safety community that dismisses the value of rider education.
Let’s take a look at statistics which can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website: Between 2005 and 2015, the latest year for which we have complete data at this point, motorcycle registrations have increased 38 percent nationwide while motorcycle fatalities per 100,000 registered motorcycles have decreased 21 percent. Additionally, motorcycle vehicle miles traveled have increased 88 percent during that same timeframe, while motorcycle fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled have decreased 42 percent.
Is there an explanation for this sustained decrease in fatalities during this time frame? We know that between 2005 and 2015 not a single state promulgated a universal helmet law. In fact, one state, Michigan, repealed their universal helmet requirement. What else could be responsible for this decline?
One possible explanation is that during this time frame there has been an increased emphasis on motorcycle training and education. In fact, 47 states currently have state legislated motorcycle training programs in place, with the remaining three having private programs. I believe that it is likely that having more motorcyclists trained to ride properly and defensively naturally leads to less crashes.
So to all the training instructors out there please accept my hearty thanks for making motorcycling better for all of us.
Matt Danielson is a partner at The Motorcycle Law Group, a personal injury law firm whose attorneys all ride motorcycles and practice in VA, NC, SC, GA, and WV. Matt has successfully represented clients in cases from simple property damage to complex multi-million dollar personal injury claims. He is also a lobbyist, adjunct professor and works with motorcycle rights organizations. To learn more about The Motorcycle Law Group, visit MotorcycleLawGroup.com
By Matt Danielson, The Motorcycle Law Group
Matt Danielson
McGrath, Danielson, Sorrell & Fuller
The Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Matt@MotorcycleLawGroup.com
MotorcycleLawGroup.com
Have you been injured in an Accident? Contact our Law Firm1-800-321-8968