"accidents"

[toolinalong]

An article about truckers using on board computers while driving.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/28/techn ... &th&emc=th

I have been thinking lately, what with all the talk about texting while driving, that it sure would be nice to have another study done about motorcycle accidents. It is kinda bothersome to me that people still have only the Hurt report, a very limited study done almost 30 years ago, to talk about when citing motorcycle accident statistics. Is there something else out there I have not heard about?

I had two close calls yesterday, and when I think about them, the most likely way I could have avoided them is to not be on the bike in the first place. In other words they really do qualify as "accidents", that is I was obeying the laws and driving normally.

And then I ask myself why in the world do I want to know that kind of stuff? Is that just too weird?

[Sunbeemer]

I don't think so...I think studying accident reports helps a rider define the circumstances when he's in the most danger, whether from himself or other's, and helps him determine when he might be at the most risk. This simply demonstrates self-preservation.

For instance, I was surprised by the Hurt Report satistic that David Hough cited in his book, Proficient Motorcycling, that the highest motorcyclist's fatality rates occurred during the second 6 months of ownership (not the first!), and the next highest was after 3 years of ownership! I get that the highest fatality rate after 6-months was probably due to rider over-confidence without experience to back it up (mouth-checks), but the 3-year stat really surprised me and I mulled it over for a while before deducing that it must be due to rider complacency. These realizations help to, "keep me on my toes", literally.

An interesting source of crash statistics is available at the Dept. of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (select a year under "Traffic Crash Facts" at http://www.flhsmv.gov/html/safety.html They provide some motorcycle accident statistics, but not nearly enough details, and are now collecting information about cellphone use during accidents which hasn't yet been included, unfortunately. These data show that the most dangerous times to be on the road are rush hour on Fridays, Saturday nights, and early Sunday mornings after the bars close. The worst drivers (most accidents) are teenage drivers, and the most dangerous drivers (highest fatality rate) are guys leaving bars in their early 20's. This is all good stuff to know if you happen upon a 20-year-old Saturday evening leaving a bar...

[TicTac50]

For instance, I was surprised by the Hurt Report satistic that David Hough cited in his book, Proficient Motorcycling, that the highest motorcyclist's fatality rates occurred during the second 6 months of ownership (not the first!), and the next highest was after 3 years of ownership! [

Sunbeemer.
Very good information.
I did not read "Proficient Motorcycling" and probably I should, but many years ago, back in the old country, I used to sell and fix bikes.
6 Months of ownership is very close to what was my mark, between 4 and 5 thousand KILOMETERS.
I am almost sure that about 30-35 percent of the new owners will come back with some kind of a problem for the repairs.
3 years of ownership, I agree 100 percent, speaking from my personal experience and experience of my younger brother.
I would like to add one more: "Large percentage of the accidents occurred near the place of the residence".
This is good stuff. We all need to be careful.
Good Luck.

[MattPie]

I would like to add one more: "Large percentage of the accidents occurred near the place of the residence".

While being vigilant even in your own neighborhood is valid, the statistics can be misleading since you ride near your house every time you go out, whereas you may only ride 25 miles from your house once a week.

[carpents]

...but the 3-year stat really surprised me and I mulled it over for a while before deducing that it must be due to rider complacency.

It could also be those 18-year-olds turning 21 and going out on Saturday nights.

[busithoth]

I ride to/from work in NYC near daily, and go by the golden rule of 'if there's a stupid maneuver open to a cab/SUV near me, they'll take it.' Sure I get pleasantly surprised often by good driving, but all too often there's a car swerving perpendicular across all four lanes of an avenue.

Before I pulled the trigger on my r1150r, I watched several hours of youtube videos, all motorbike accidents, just to keep a reminder on what I was re-exposing myself to. Some of the videos show aggressive passing resulting in crashes, but most were stunts gone bad. The scariest are the ones of people getting rear ended while at a red light. Because while I check my mirrors when braking, I don't constantly check behind me while at the light.

I've been called a pussy by other riders, but such names roll right off my back.
Every couple of years, a motorist gets hit and thrown over the side of my bridge.

Just last week I had a close call from a truck that was REALLY ancy, and read my 'safety bubble' as an opportunity to change lanes. Turned out they were going right near my house, so I pulled up next to the woman behind the wheel at a stop sign. She apologized, "sorry I almost killed you back there." (!) She said that she didn't see me, etc. but didn't seem to be bothered much.
I told her she didn't exactly drive safely on after that close call. (she zippered up a couple more car lengths, forcing others to slam their brakes to not clip her truck's ass)

Expect/prepare for the worst, pray for the best...

[Sunbeemer]

The last couple evenings I've seen people drinking (beer) while driving... Both drivers were somewhat impaired, and the second one was probably underage... We have an open container law, but it doesn't seem to deter.

I guess the best advice I've heard is, "Ride like you're invisible" -- they may be too drunk to see you.