Bluehot
Adjunct
Reged: 07/13/08
Posts: 107
Loc: California
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Quote:
I do believe the results of a crash cause study are going to lean heavily toward inability to negotiate corners at speed, which can be effectively remedied in large part by proper training. Today's minimum licensing requirement of how to ride a parking lot is not providing that particular skill set.
Bucky, I agree with most of your statement. I know that we cannot expect a two day training course to teach cornering competence. Only experience can perfect it. I just completed the MSF last weekend (as an experienced rider), and saw two crashes there. Both in the process of turning, (front brake use related).
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Ridin' and playin' 'til I can't.
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oldroadie
Check Pants
Reged: 05/05/07
Posts: 5968
Loc: Alabama USA
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You can make your own conclusions about safety gear here: The Hurt Report
and regarding the 25% that are only bike wrecks:
Per the NHTSA:
Report Conclusions: Findings from the FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) data illustrate reasons for motorcyclist fatalities in single vehicle motorcycle crashes:
Helmet use among fatally injured motorcyclists below 50 percent
More motorcyclist fatalities are occurring on rural roads
High blood alcohol levels are a major problem among motorcycle operators
Half of the fatalities are related to negotiating a curve prior to the crash
Over 80 percent of the fatalities occur off roadway
Undivided roadways account for a majority of the fatalities
Almost two thirds of the fatalities were associated with speeding as an operator contributing factor in the crash
Almost 60 percent of motorcyclist fatalities occur at night
Collision with a fixed object is a significant factor in over half of the fatalities
Braking and steering maneuvers possibly contribute for almost 25 percent of the fatalities
More riders age 40 and over are getting killed
Almost one third of the fatally injured operators did not have a proper license
The real problem is that the Hurt report is over a decade old and the NHTSA finding is over 5 years old. There have been significant changes to our population and the AMA is right to pursue this.
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A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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bennybmn
Should be Riding
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 12687
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Whenever I hear of these "studies" I fear the conclusions drawn with try to make a point about the vehicle in question, not the operator, ya know?
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Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Soren
Should be Riding
Reged: 01/12/05
Posts: 12034
Loc: Beaverton, OR
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Quote:
Whenever I hear of these "studies" I fear the conclusions drawn with try to make a point about the vehicle in question, not the operator, ya know?
Absolutely! Then it just ends up being a shopping list of what they will ban next.
Soren
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•Triumph Connection
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KingOfFleece
Adjunct
Reged: 08/30/07
Posts: 512
Loc: Buffalo, NY
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Yep, spent a lot of time looking at the Hurt study and reading other's who also did the same-seems to me if Gov't. was REALLY serious they would have alcohol locks on all motor vehicles. Don't hate me for this-I know it's kind of Big Brother-but I've had SEVERAL good friends killed by drunks. It is not nice. Something that only lets the phone come thru the radio would really help, too. You all know that I'm sure. It's like pinball with the soccor moms and high profile bankers at rush hour with them not paying one bit of attention.
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redbike7
3/4 Throttle
Reged: 07/24/06
Posts: 948
Loc: Cedar Park, Texas
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From these facts it sounds to me like a lot of fatalities are caused by inadequately trained riders who don't ride enough to remain competent. Especially if they haven't ridden for 20 years and get back on a great big cruiser that they don't really don't have control of. From my front porch I can see 4 houses with bikes that have not moved in a month that I know of. It seems it would be hard to stay sharp if you don't ride. CAUTION: This vheicle has only two wheels and all laws of physics apply.
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Redbike7
2006 America
No amount of skill can overcome gross stupidity. Ask me how I know...never mind, I forgot...
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bennybmn
Should be Riding
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 12687
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Quote:
This vheicle has only two wheels and all laws of physics apply.
The only laws we can't ignore!!
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Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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FolsomBrad
Member
Reged: 03/31/08
Posts: 53
Loc: El Dorado Hills, CA
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I think what everyone is missing here is that the danger of riding motorcycles has been greatly increased in the last few years due to cell phone use. This is overlooked due to the emphasis on drunk driving. While drumk driving is admittedly hazardous, I believe studies have shown a driver on a cell phone is just as dangerous as someone with a 0.08 percent blood alcoho level -- and cell phone use is probably far more prevalent. Yet here in California, the penalty for driving while on a cell phone is $20, while the penalty for drunk driving cost you thousands of dollars and potentially time in jail. (As a more ridicules comparison, the penalty for driving in a car pool lane is almost $400). Perhaps MADD should forgo some of there politically correct crusade against relatively low blood alcohol levels and focus on cell phone use.
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Hate workin' for the man...
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ssjones
Check Pants
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 5527
Loc: Hagerstown, MD
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I agree. Last session (in Maryland), I sent this email to my House of Rep's delegate and the Majority Leader in the Senate. I didn't even get a reply. A few weeks ago, I send it again to my delegate and our local State Senator. Again, no response. I'm sending it to the local newspaper next. Last session, a Delegate actually proposed a bill to keep dogs from riding in the back of pick-up trucks. I think I'm entitled to as much concern, right? Here's what I sent:
Subject: Cell Phone Use in Autos
Senator Miller:
What is the chance of making Maryland's cell phone law more restrictive than the current structure (basically applies to under 18 yrs of age)? I would request Maryland enact laws similar to the ones created in New Jersey and Washington DC which requires the use of a hands-free device. I drive all over the East coast for my job, approximately 60,000 miles per year. Laws in the state of Maryland protect me from smokers, auto accidents and motorcycle accidents but I'd much rather see a law in place protecting me from cars driven by folks just not paying attention. There appear to be several bills active during this current session protecting animal rights. While I am a dog lover, I'd much rather see my elected officials working on legislation that protects my safety above that of an animal.
It is completely obvious to me through my experiences driving a large amount of miles on the highways of the East coast that using a cell phone and driving just doesn't make sense. You may want to read the information from this we blink to gain a deeper knowledge of the effects of cell phone use in autos and trucks:
http://www.accidentreconstruction.com/research/cellphones/
I'm curious to hear your opinions in this matter.
Quote:
I think what everyone is missing here is that the danger of riding motorcycles has been greatly increased in the last few years due to cell phone use. This is overlooked due to the emphasis on drunk driving. While drumk driving is admittedly hazardous, I believe studies have shown a driver on a cell phone is just as dangerous as someone with a 0.08 percent blood alcoho level -- and cell phone use is probably far more prevalent. Yet here in California, the penalty for driving while on a cell phone is $20, while the penalty for drunk driving cost you thousands of dollars and potentially time in jail. (As a more ridicules comparison, the penalty for driving in a car pool lane is almost $400). Perhaps MADD should forgo some of there politically correct crusade against relatively low blood alcohol levels and focus on cell phone use.
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Al
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bennybmn
Should be Riding
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 12687
Loc: Long Island, NY
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I agree for lots of people cell phones are a major distraction, but I don't think it should take away from drunk driving awareness... People can be distracted by anything...
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Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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