Motorcycle mayhem is everywhere.
If you are like many of us around this time of hear, you comb through the headlines looking for news and updates on upcoming bikes, rallies, and the occasional half dress (individual) trying to pull off a wheelie. Unfortunately, its around this time a year that MOTORCYCLE DEATH headlines take over. Danger Danger … Do not ride that motorcycle.
In one highlight today in the area of motorcycle mayhem, The Seattle Times reported that a 4th person has died in a week. The article does however go on to highlight data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) that reports an unfortunate uptick in motorcycle related fatalities from 1997 through 2017. According to their data, 2017 had twice as many deaths. Thats not a good trend.
As much as its easy to focus on the cheap media that is “another motorcycle death” , the data is worth review.
The IIHS has stated that motorcycles have a higher death rate per mile. To the tune of 28 times that of cars. In 2017, the NHTSA reported over 37,000 deaths . That equals over 100 PER DAY. So overall, that are a large amount of deaths each and every day from our much beloved modes of transportation. The IIHS do report that automobile deaths, after a recent UPTREND, have dropped . Unfortunately, motorcyclists have not seen the same .
Both cars and motorcycles have common accident factors.
Motorcycle Mayhem-The Factors
- speed
- alcohol
- distraction(S)
Unique to motorcycles, you also have
- lack of protective gear (cough…helmet…cough..)
- OTHER DISTRACTED DRIVERS (VILLAINS)
- LACK OF SAFETY TECH (Airbags, belts, reinforcements)
- RIDING SKILL
Riding is inherently dangerous, however, as we continue to navigate the roadways and highways , we have a higher risk of those around us driving with their HEADS UP THEIR BUTTS. (or on their phones ). In another humorous post, I highlighted the VILLAINS you may encounter.
We don’t like to see the headlines as we think they are simply attention grabbing ploys by a money hungry media system. We do think that its dis-proportionally reported (motorcycle vs car death). The truth is, its likely both. However we DO have greater odds of not coming home than the Starbucks sipping Volvo driver flying down the center lane.
As you’re heading out, remember that each ride you have to be more attentive, more responsive, and more dynamic than the rest of the traffic.
Be safe and keep riding!
