Accident Statistics

"Reassembler" <Reassembler.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1072589865.545251@ftp.mauigateway.com...
 >
 > Greg Dunn <MyLists.DeleteThis@gregdunn.com> wrote in message
 > news:pTtHb.480146$Dw6.1411175@attbi_s02...
  > > Can anyone point me to a source of statistics about motorcycle
accidents?
  > > In particular, I am interested in the ratio of accidents to miles
driven;
  > > also, the ratio of accidents involving serious and fatal injuries
relative
  > > to miles driven.
  > >
  > > This isn't for a research project: just for my personal interest. One
 > hears
  > > lots of stories about motorcycle accidents and injuries, but I'd like to
 > get
  > > some hard data as to just how dangerous riding a bike is, relative to
  > > driving in a car.
  > >
 >
 > Google for "Hurt report."
 >
 > Reassembler

But keep in mind how old it is, and how the demographics of riding are
changing.
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Accident Statistics 

On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 05:29:57 GMT, "Greg Dunn" <MyLists.TakeThisOut@gregdunn.com>
wrote:

 >Can anyone point me to a source of statistics about motorcycle accidents?
 >In particular, I am interested in the ratio of accidents to miles driven;
 >also, the ratio of accidents involving serious and fatal injuries relative
 >to miles driven.

From the insurance institute for highway safety:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="HTTP://www.hwysafety.org/safety%5Ffacts/fatality%5Ffacts/motorcyl.htm" target="_blank">HTTP://www.hwysafety.org/safety%5Ffacts/fatality%5Ffacts/motorcyl.htm</a>
 >
 >This isn't for a research project: just for my personal interest. One hears
 >lots of stories about motorcycle accidents and injuries, but I'd like to get
 >some hard data as to just how dangerous riding a bike is, relative to
 >driving in a car.

Per mile driven you are about 26 times more likely to be killed on a
motorcycle than in a car.

There are some things you can do to improve your chances. If you're
willing to put in the effort, it can actually be safer than driving a
car -- or at least, that was the experience of the Los Angeles Police
Department.

So, give us the story here. Are you considering taking up
motorcycling? Just got a new motorcycle for christmas? What's the
nature of your interest? We'll be happy to help you out.

Al Moore
DoD 734<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Accident Statistics 

Greg Dunn <MyLists.DeleteThis@gregdunn.com> wrote:
 > Can anyone point me to a source of statistics about motorcycle accidents?
 > In particular, I am interested in the ratio of accidents to miles driven;
 > also, the ratio of accidents involving serious and fatal injuries relative
 > to miles driven.

The UK transport ministry folks had a page up using 1998 data suggesting
that a "minor injury" crash occurred about every 30k rider miles. The old
link has broken and I'd be grateful to learn of a replacement. The link was:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.transtat.dtlr.gov.uk/facts/accident/mcycle/mcycle98.htm" target="_blank">http://www.transtat.dtlr.gov.uk/facts/accident/mcycle/mcycle98.htm</a>
A very brief summary of the page is at:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://imlpld1.berkeley.edu/~bob/mc/suits.html" target="_blank">http://imlpld1.berkeley.edu/~bob/mc/suits.html</a>

The general view is that fatality rates for motorcyclists are about ten
times greater than for automobile drivers, but in fact fatalities are
a very small fraction of documented crashes for both.

bob<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Accident Statistics 

On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 06:49:07 GMT, Alan Moore
<alan.s.moore RemoveThis @comcast.net> wrote:

 >On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 05:29:57 GMT, "Greg Dunn" <MyLists RemoveThis @gregdunn.com>
 >wrote:
 >
  >>Can anyone point me to a source of statistics about motorcycle accidents?
  >>In particular, I am interested in the ratio of accidents to miles driven;
  >>also, the ratio of accidents involving serious and fatal injuries relative
  >>to miles driven.
 >
 >From the insurance institute for highway safety:
 >HTTP://www.hwysafety.org/safety%5Ffacts/fatality%5Ffacts/motorcyl.htm
  >>
  >>This isn't for a research project: just for my personal interest. One hears
  >>lots of stories about motorcycle accidents and injuries, but I'd like to get
  >>some hard data as to just how dangerous riding a bike is, relative to
  >>driving in a car.
 >
 >Per mile driven you are about 26 times more likely to be killed on a
 >motorcycle than in a car.
 >
 >There are some things you can do to improve your chances. If you're
 >willing to put in the effort, it can actually be safer than driving a
 >car -- or at least, that was the experience of the Los Angeles Police
 >Department.
 >
 >So, give us the story here. Are you considering taking up
 >motorcycling? Just got a new motorcycle for christmas? What's the
 >nature of your interest? We'll be happy to help you out.
 >
 >Al Moore
 >DoD 734

he's probably read the other thread and we have scared the shit out of
him.


84 - Virago 1000
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/" target="_blank">http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/</a>

Stressed is just Desserts spelled backwards<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Accident Statistics 

In article <bsm1t9$a9p$1@agate.berkeley.edu>, bob prohaska wrote:

 > The UK transport ministry folks had a page up using 1998 data suggesting
 > that a "minor injury" crash occurred about every 30k rider miles. The old
 > link has broken and I'd be grateful to learn of a replacement. The link was:
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.transtat.dtlr.gov.uk/facts/accident/mcycle/mcycle98.htm</font" target="_blank">http://www.transtat.dtlr.gov.uk/facts/accident/mcycle/mcycle98.htm</font</a>>

From a brief google search:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/pdf/dft_transstats_pdf_505547.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/pdf/dft...ansstat</a>
looks like it might be the one.

Paul<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Accident Statistics 

In article <pTtHb.480146$Dw6.1411175@attbi_s02>, Greg Dunn wrote:
 > Can anyone point me to a source of statistics about motorcycle accidents?

Here's an interesting summary of a few reports:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.survivalskills.clara.net/riding_skills_6.htm" target="_blank">http://www.survivalskills.clara.net/riding_skills_6.htm</a>

3 paragraphs I found interesting:

<quote>
"Consideration of the various factors relating to rural motorcycle crashes
leads unerringly to the conclusion that riders are failing to ride their
machines within their personal capabilities even though the bike itself
may have been well within its performance envelope at the time of the
crash. The vast majority of the "bend" crashes had clues which indicated
that the riders had either braked or shut their throttles mid-bend,
resulting in understeer crashes. In the crashes where right turning
vehicles were hit by overtaking motorcyclists, it seemed that the rider
should have foreseen the likelihood of the turning movement e.g. garage
forecourt, side road etc.."

Look at the figures. 20.5% of the accidents, the total of bikes hitting
cars turning right or hitting them from behind, can be largely attributed
to poor observation and anticipation, probably made worse by excess speed,
and in my opinion this is not entirely unexpected.

However, the fact that 40.2% of the accidents occurred when riders
either lost control in, or ran wide in bends is chilling and far worse
than I thought. Bend-swinging is so fundamental to our enjoyment of the
sport that we take it for granted. Now it seems that we have to think
again. As well as a lack of the observation and judgement skills we need
to ride safely, it also betrays that most riders lack a fundamental lack
of understanding of the way a motorcycle steers and behaves in a corner.
</quote>

Paul<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Accident Statistics 

Greg Dunn wrote:

 > Can anyone point me to a source of statistics about motorcycle accidents?
 > In particular, I am interested in the ratio of accidents to miles driven;
 > also, the ratio of accidents involving serious and fatal injuries relative
 > to miles driven.

For the US, NHTSA compiles data on fatal crashes and estimates injury
crashes, and compares to both the number of registrations and estimated
miles traveled. Go here:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/departments/nrd-30/ncsa/AvailInf.html" target="_blank">http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/departments/nrd-30/ncsa/AvailInf.html</a>
and download the annual report. Last time I checked the 2002 report was
still preliminary and didn't have the miles estimates for 2002, but does
have estimates for prior years. The motorcycle fact sheets (same page)
don't have the mileage estimates but include other additional details.
Several special reports on motorcycles can be found here:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/." target="_blank">http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/.</a>

For California, the CHP publishes a "Statewide Integrated Traffic
Records System Annual Report". Go here:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/publications.html" target="_blank">http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/publications.html</a>
and follow the links. I don't believe they estimate miles traveled.

--
Dan Carter, San Luis Obispo, CA <DataDan.TakeThisOut@A-Tee-Tee.net><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Accident Statistics 

 >
  >>
  >> Google for "Hurt report."
  >>
  >> Reassembler
 >
 >But keep in mind how old it is, and how the demographics of riding are
 >changing.
  >>

Not much, there has been a slight spike in rider deaths over the age of
35(iirc) but that almost exactly correlates with a similar spike in new riders
over the age of 35. But my memory isn't what it was and I think the news media
lie about these things as does the DOT.


Nefarious Necrologist 42nd class
Some people ride, some just like to show off their butt
jewelry once in a while.
Dum vivimus, vivamus<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Accident Statistics 

keith s. wrote:

 > REInvestments wrote:
 >
  >> Reassembler wrote:
  >>
   >>> Google for "Hurt report."
  >>
  >> But keep in mind how old it is, and how the demographics of riding are
  >> changing.
 >
 > Not much, there has been a slight spike in rider deaths over the age of
 > 35(iirc) but that almost exactly correlates with a similar spike in new riders
 > over the age of 35.

Over-40 rider crashes and deaths have increased dramatically. In Hurt's
1970s research, just 10% of riders in the crashes he studied were 40 and
over. In 1994, 23% of NHTSA-reported rider fatalities were 40+, but in
2002 that was up to 44%. However, that increase is due to increased
popularity of motorcycling among over-40s. Between 1980 and 1998,
median rider age jumped from 27 years to 38.

One thing that hasn't changed since Hurt is that older riders are *less*
likely to crash than younger riders. The median crasher age in Hurt's
study was 25 while the median rider age (in the locales of the crashes)
was 27. Similarly, in 1998 the US median fatality age was 34 but median
rider age was 38.

--
Dan Carter, San Luis Obispo, CA <DataDan.RemoveThis@A-Tee-Tee.net><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Accident Statistics 

bob prohaska wrote:

 > The UK transport ministry folks had a page up using 1998 data suggesting
 > that a "minor injury" crash occurred about every 30k rider miles. The old
 > link has broken and I'd be grateful to learn of a replacement. The link was:
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.transtat.dtlr.gov.uk/facts/accident/mcycle/mcycle98.htm</font" target="_blank">http://www.transtat.dtlr.gov.uk/facts/accident/mcycle/mcycle98.htm</font</a>>
 > A very brief summary of the page is at:
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://imlpld1.berkeley.edu/~bob/mc/suits.html</font" target="_blank">http://imlpld1.berkeley.edu/~bob/mc/suits.html</font</a>>

<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://tinyurl.com/yqgj2" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/yqgj2</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Accident Statistics 

"keith s." <sschiffners.DeleteThis@aol.comnilfeces> wrote in message
news:20031228110333.26046.00002001@mb-m06.aol.com...
  > >
   > >>
   > >> Google for "Hurt report."
   > >>
   > >> Reassembler
  > >
  > >But keep in mind how old it is, and how the demographics of riding are
  > >changing.
   > >>
 >
 > Not much, there has been a slight spike in rider deaths over the age of
 > 35(iirc) but that almost exactly correlates with a similar spike in new
riders
 > over the age of 35. But my memory isn't what it was and I think the news
media
 > lie about these things as does the DOT.

I don't have the cite, but I read somewhere that the increase in accidents
was higher among reborn riders like me (came back at 45 years of age, and
had a major crash within a year) than it was by the young squids we pick on.
Part of it, I believe from personal experience is the change from back to
front brakes as primary, the incredible increase in available power and
handling which encourages a sense of fearlessness from reborns. I was
astounded just how well my Ducati 900 SS could stick in the corners. I was
still astounded as I flew through the air. But I became well grounded
directly after that. I don't think I'm alone. Loads of us with
literally hundreds of thousands of miles, ERC, CLASS, have still managed to
land on our heads. In my case, it was the speed demon overcoming any common
sense I might have had.
Even after a major crash, I was more than pleased to come back and chase a
buddy through the Sierras at about 80-100 mph.

I'm better now.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Accident Statistics 

On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 05:29:57 GMT, "Greg Dunn" <MyLists.DeleteThis@gregdunn.com>
wrote:

 >Can anyone point me to a source of statistics about motorcycle accidents?
 >In particular, I am interested in the ratio of accidents to miles driven;
 >also, the ratio of accidents involving serious and fatal injuries relative
 >to miles driven.
 >
 >This isn't for a research project: just for my personal interest. One hears
 >lots of stories about motorcycle accidents and injuries, but I'd like to get
 >some hard data as to just how dangerous riding a bike is, relative to
 >driving in a car.


The overall reality is the fatality rate is about 20X higher per mile
traveled.

The good news (which you can use to shoo away busybodies) is that
bicycles are even deadlier than that and everyone lets their kids ride
those.


---------------------------------------------------------------
NeoCon! Now with 50% more stupidity!
---------------------------------------------------------------<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Accident Statistics 

bob prohaska wrote:

 > Greg Dunn wrote:
 >
  >> Can anyone point me to a source of statistics about motorcycle accidents?
  >> In particular, I am interested in the ratio of accidents to miles driven;
  >> also, the ratio of accidents involving serious and fatal injuries relative
  >> to miles driven.
 >
 > The UK transport ministry folks had a page up using 1998 data suggesting
 > that a "minor injury" crash occurred about every 30k rider miles. The old
 > link has broken and I'd be grateful to learn of a replacement.

You'll find a current chart (1992-2002) here:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/page/dft_transstats_024325.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/page/df...ranssta</a>
(I started at <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.dft.gov.uk," target="_blank">http://www.dft.gov.uk,</a> clicked on "transport statistics",
and drilled down.) The "all severities" rate for motorcyclists is
equivalent to a crash (and presumably, some injury) every 118,000 miles.

--
Dan Carter, San Luis Obispo, CA <DataDan.RemoveThis@A-Tee-Tee.net><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Accident Statistics