It is an astounding statistic but in 2007 motorcycle deaths accounted for one in every eight motor vehicle deaths.  These statistics have prompted the United States Department of Transportation to announce increased safety, drunk driving outreach and enforcement efforts.  One of the efforts to stop this increase is a new NHTSA advertising campaign showing drunk vehicle and motorcycle riders being caught for driving impaired. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation believes that a person killed on a motorcycle was 2.5 times more likely to be under the influence of alcohol than a person killed in a car.

The overall number of traffic fatalities dropped in 2007 to 41,059 - the lowest number since 1994.  Another statistic is deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled that was 1.37 is the lowest rate ever recorded. Motorcycle fatalities accounted for 13% of fatalities in 2007, an increase of 6.6% from 2006.  All of the NHTSA statistics for 2007 show that in Utah the number of people killed in motor vehicle crashes increased 4.2%.

Highway safety authorities know that even though the overall number of traveled miles are dropping for all vehicles the number of miles traveled by motorcycles is increasing.  Furthermore, they estimate that there are many more motorcycles on the streets today.  There are about 75% more motorcycles registered today than 10 years ago.

Another reason that authorities think the number of motorcycle deaths are on the rise is the decrease in the number of states that require helmets to be worn when riding a motorcycle.  In 1975 47 states required all motorcycle riders to wear helmets and now only 20 states require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets.

One of the best statistical reviews concerning motorcycle injury is at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Federal Highway Administration announced that highway traffic deaths dropped about 4 percent to 41,059 in 2007. Even with this overall decrease in total deaths motorcycle deaths have increased. Motorcycle deaths increased a staggering 6.6 percent in 2007 and now account for about 13 percent of all traffic deaths.

There are a couple of interesting facts in these statistics. First of all overall miles driven in the United States has decreased. Motorists (including motorcyclists) traveled 3 trillion miles in 2007 down from 3.01 trillion miles in 2006 - the first annual drop since 1980. June of this year showed a 4.7 percent drop in mileage traveled compared to June of last year.

On a year over year comparison motorcycle injuries increased 17 percent in 2007 compared to 2006. In 2007 there were 103,000 motorcycling injuries.  In 2007 there were 41, 059 people killed in traffic accidents.  Of this total 13 percent were motorcycle deaths - 5,338 motorcycle deaths across the nation.

The reason for this divergence of vehicle deaths declining and motorcycle deaths increasing is probably clear. With gas averaging about $4.00 per gallon many more people are using motorcycle and scooters to commute. Scooter sales have been reported to be up as much as 40 percent in 2008 compared to 2007.

I think most of the 2007 purchasers of scooters and motorcycles are new to riding. In my law practice, which focuses on representing injured motorcycle riders and their families, it is not uncommon to hear that the motorcyclist had just purchased their ride. The Federal Highway Administration stresses helmet use, sometimes at the cost of funding rider education. This is an ill-considered plan. I think that the single best way to decrease motorcycle injuries and deaths is to require all new riders to take a new motorcycle rider course.

Over this past weekend in and around St. George Utah there were three motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle riders are more exposed to the elements that vehicle drivers are so they have to really watch to make sure they do not become dehydrated or suffer the effects of overheating. This is what happened to at least two of the bikers. They felt dizzy and pulled off to the side of the road but dumped their bikes in the ditch. Fortunately for both they were wearing all of their safety gear including leather chaps, gloves and most importantly their helmets. Both of these riders walked away with only minor injuries.

In the third accident the biker looked over his shoulder before changing lanes and slammed into the back of the vehicle ahead as it slowed. Again, this biker was wearing his helmet and escaped with only a cut chin.

You can say all of these bikers were lucky but you can also make the argument that these bikers were smart - and more importantly - prepared.

I think there are a number of reasons why motorcycle accidents are on the increase.

• Gas prices - with the soaring price demanded for crude oil gasoline prices have already passed the $4.00 mark and well on their way to $5.00 per gallon. Many are opting for scooters and motorcycles in an attempt to save some cash.

• Baby Boomers - are reentering the motorcycle market. With arguably slower reaction times and decreased visual and auditory capacity some argue that baby boomers are more susceptible to accidents.

• New riders - exist now like never before. As a result of both older riders reentering the motorcycle market and with mostly younger drivers buying scooters and motorcycles to escape high gas prices many of these riders are new to motorcycling.

• Education void - many new riders are not taking a basic motorcycle safety riding class however with recent changes to motorcycle laws in Utah and in other states this education void will decrease.

• Crowded roadways - legacy highway and daily freeway backups and road repair all contribute to increasing traffic and with motorcycles being the smallest thing on the road we are often overlooked and clipped, sideswiped or simply "not seen" at all.

Have you ever watched the Shriner Motorcycle Brigade n a parade or seen the Utah Highway Patrol perform their slow maneuvering expertise on their motorcycle? Have you ever tried it yourself - without putting your foot down?

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers an experienced rider class. Ride It Like You Stole It has an excellent post on the class. The post talks about the various maneuvers that the instructors put you through.

I often stress the need for new riders to take a basic motorcycle safety class. I habitually go out at the beginning of every motorcycle season to the parking lot at Taylorsville High School and practice stopping, cornering and emergency swerving. I think I will sign up for one of these experienced rider classes...

I do not know if you all noticed but it is hot out there and in all likelihood getting hotter before it gets a lot cooler. Perfect riding weather for motorcycle riders as long as you are properly prepared.

There are some good ways to stay at least relatively cool:

• Wear something: Going without a shirt and wearing shorts invites sunburn and dehydration especially if you are in the saddle for any extended time. It is a myth that wearing leathers will make you hot. The question becomes "What to wear?"
• Leather and mesh: I have what I think is the perfect motorcycle jacket - black leather with buckles that close the mesh up the inside of the arms. The jacket also has mesh vents on both front panels. It also has a liner for when the temperatures cool down. The jacket keeps me shilded from the sun's direct heat and keeps me comfortable and hydrated.
• Wicking underwear: Really wear what you want but synthetics that pull the sweat to the outer layers has a cooling effect when a breeze hits the moisture. In the same way that wearing a wet t-shirt and cruising around almost makes you cold a wicking t-shirt under some vented meshleather accomplishes the same effect.
• Holes in your boots: I have punched some holes on the instep of my boots - after idling for a little bit my feet get really hot when resting on the pavement but get a little breeze through the holes and my feet feel great.
• Cover you head: Direct sunlight on your head will cook your brain raising your core temperature and you risk passing out from sun stroke. You can wear a vented helmet or a dew rag - the choice is your's but I prefer a helmet because it also protects my neck.
• Drink: Water is the best thing to keep you hydrated and alcohol has a tendency to make you warmer - never mind all the other ill effects.

The Utah Highway Safety Office has taken the message of motorcycle helmet use to elementary schools in the hope that the message will find its way back to parents that ride motorcycles. It appears that the plan was a success and the kids got the message to increase helmet use and be more vigilant for motorcycle riders. The Deseret News has a long article about the elementary school motorcycle helmet program.

I do not know the budget for this program and am not knocking the program but maybe money would be better spent in directly appealing to motorcycle riders. I have a bunch of pamphlets from Utah Highway Safety that talks about sharing the road and the importance of motorcycle education called "Hit the Book Before You Hit the Road." I am going to make these pamphlets available to every bike rider who will accept one this coming weekend at the Harley Davidson Muscular Dystrophy Ride in Wendover.

I read a lot of articles concerning motorcycles and scooters across the country. The price of gasoline has spurred consumers to purchasing motorcycles and scooters as a means of commuting thereby saving big dollars on transportation costs. On average I would guess that motorcycle and scooter registrations are up about 10% across the nation. This trend concerns me for two primary reasons and have far-reaching impact:

1. I think most of these consumers are first-time purchasers of two-wheeled transportation and do not have experience in riding.
2. I think that a lot of these consumers who are trying to save on commuter costs opt for the cheapest insurance.

In study after study the experience of the rider has proved to be a major deterrent in motorcycle accidents. In other words the more experience you have on two wheels the less likely you are to have an accident. SO what does this mean - should a beginning rider never ride? Not at all. What it does mean is that a novice rider needs to take a local motorcycle riding safety class so they can get used to handling a motorcycle or scooter and learn about the common hazards that all two-wheeled riders experience day in and day out. A two day class is not onerous and may save your life. Furthermore, once you pass the course and receive your card most insurance companies will give you a discount on your insurance costs probably paying for the cost of the course. Safety classes also introduce the novice to the proper gear that should be worn when riding a motorcycle or scooter. Safety classes also have a practical portion and I would recommend a class that spends at least one full day learning how to stop and weave. One of the best in Utah is Utah Rider Education who offers a basic rider class, an advanced rider class and individual one-on-one rider education is also available.

Cheap insurance is cheap for a reason - the coverage is minimal! So what - I am never going to be in an accident so I really do not need insurance you might say. You and I know that is crazy. It is especially crazy when riding a motorcycle. This is so because when you are involved in even a minor motorcycle accident chances are you will be pretty banged up - severely injured. Who is going to pay for your injuries. Even if the other driver is at fault often times they do not have enough insurance to cover all of your losses so you have to carry adequate insurance to cover the shortfall. In Utah all vehicle insurers are required to offer the minimum insurance and offer what is called underinsured and uninsured coverage. Without going into the details because I have covered that in other posts suffice it to say that every motorcycle rider should purchase underinsured and uninsured coverage in the same amount that you purchase liability coverage. This will help to protect you and your family in the case that an offending driver does not carry adequate insurance.

I am a motorcycle accident injury lawyer in Salt Lake City, Utah and have extensive experience in representing motorcycle riders and their families after the have been in an accident. If you have questions about what insurance to buy or anything else call and I will give you a straight answer. With training and enough insurance motorcycle and scooter riders can save money and enjoy themselves while being responsible to care for their own financial loss when an accident happens.

Below is a reprint from the NHTSA website and since May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month I wanted to share...

“Share the Road” -- Motorcyclists Are at Risk from Other Drivers.

“Share the Road” -- Motorcyclist Deaths are Rising.

“Share the Road” – May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

o Allow a motorcyclist the full lane width. Although it may seem as though there is enough room in a traffic lane for both an automobile and a motorcycle, the motorcycle needs the full room to ma­neuver safely. Do not share the lane.

o Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. This allows the mo­torcyclist to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.

o Remember that motorcyclists are often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their smaller size. Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.

ILLINOIS: Police say 65-year-old William Opp and his 62-year-old wife Mary were riding on Highway 14 in Mulkeytown when witnesses say something happened to William Opp's rear tire and he lost control of the bike. His wife swerved trying to avoid hitting her husband. Mary, in turn, lost control of her bike. Neither of the Opps were wearing a helmet.

I wanted to comment on this article because proper following technique is important to avoid crashes just like this. Motorcycle Cruiser has an excellent article on group motorcycle riding and how to make it safe and fun for everyone.