Federal Motorcycle Safety Plan
In 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a five-year safety plan to address the issue of motorcycle safety on our nation’s highways. It was noted in the report that motorcycle fatalities had reached their highest level in more than 35 years. In 2017, 5,172 riders were killed compared to 2,116 in 1997. The past 20 years saw a 144% increase in fatalities among motorcyclists.
Motorcycling’s Unique Risks
The report spells out the unique risk factors present in motorcycles crashes:
- No external protection/enclosed vehicle structure
- No internal restraints – no airbags or seat belts
- The speed and acceleration capabilities of a motorcycle
- The instability of a two-wheeled vehicle
- The likelihood of riders being thrown from the bike at impact
One Tactic: Educating Other Motorists
The plan is many pages long and identifies many elements. We will examine one part of the education campaign as well as one of the identified challenges.
One of the tactics of the five-year plan is to promote awareness to all travelers that share the roads:
- Increase motorist awareness of legitimate motorcyclist behaviors such as lane-splitting.
- Alert drivers to look twice.
- Educate motorcycle riders about motion camouflage and how to avoid “look but didn’t see” errors.
- Increase the awareness of motorists on the need to provide additional distance when following a motorcycle – for instance, when a cyclist downshifts to slow the bike, that action may not result in a brake signal.
- Increase all travelers’ awareness of the dangers of road debris for riders. Even something as seemingly minor as slippery grass clippings can result in a motorcycle losing traction.
- Educate riders about breathable PPE and how it can provide abrasion resistance and maintain comfort and body temperature even when it is hot outside.
One Challenge: Novelty Helmets
Novelty helmet use increases the crash risk compared to the use of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 218-compliant helmets. The non-compliant helmets are marketed as being for “novelty” purposes and are most often not manufacturer certified as meeting FMVSS No. 218. Nevertheless, they are sold and used by motorcyclists and passengers. Studies have shown that more than 55% of riders injured in crashes that were wearing novelty helmets sustained head injuries versus 19% of riders wearing DOT-approved helmets.
Some riders affix aftermarket labels to non-compliant helmets in states where helmet laws exist. The federal helmet standard is difficult to enforce due to the exploitation of loopholes with regard to labeling.
The NHTSA recognizes that it is difficult to get a handle on the number of non-compliant “novelty” helmets that are sold throughout the country. Even more difficult to determine is the extent of customer awareness regarding the lack of protection that novelty helmets offer. Some consumers may be fully aware of the safety implications, while others may not know that there is a significant difference between a DOT-compliant helmet and one that does not meet those standards. Part of the five-year motorcycle safety plan includes continuing public education about the increased safety risks with using non-compliant helmets.
Watch the YouTube video. The issue of novelty helmets is not new. Below is a news clip from 2013 discussing the topic.
Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Attorney
My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Sacramento, California. For nearly four decades, I have been a staunch advocate for motorcyclists who have been injured as a result of the negligence of another motorist. Motorcycle riders have the same rights as any other motorist on the road, and drivers are required to look out for them. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to recklessness, carelessness, or negligence on the part of another driver, our experienced injury lawyers are available to offer free and friendly legal advice. Call us today at (916) 921-6400, or, if your phone is registered outside of the 916 area code, use our toll-free line: (800) 404-5400.
Photo: Pixabay
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