“Look twice, save a life.”
That’s the message to car and truck drivers from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and Ben Zadrozny, the foundation’s safety program manager forNew York.
According to Zadrozny, enrollment for basic motorcycle rider courses is up and there will likely be more motorcycles on the road this summer than every before. He encouraged all motorists to look for motorcycles and to “take that second look.”
Motorcycle registrations are on the rise in New York State tothe tune of a 13 percent increase over the past five years, according to the state Department of Transportation. Census data shows the state is home to over 345,000 registered motorcycles as of 2009. At that time, there were nearly 7.9 million motorcycles registered nationally.
With more motorcycles on the road, there have actually been fewer accidents on a national level. In 2009 there were 4,465 motorcycle traffic fatalities in the country. Data from 2010 suggests a decrease of around 2 percent, although the final tallies have not yet been finalized.
In New York, however, the data show an increase. In 2010, the most recent year hard figures were available, there were 160 motorcycle fatalities in the state, an increase of 24 deaths when compared to the previous year. That is still fewer deaths per capita than in a state like Texas, where 311 fatalities were recorded in 2010, but in that state the death rate trended downward, not up.
Who’s to blame?
When accidents and fatalities involving motorcyclists do happen,it’s hard to say who is at fault.
“We frequently hear motorcyclists blame drivers for crashes and we frequently hear drivers blame motorcyclists for crashes, but in truth we find a very even split in terms of who’s a primary contributing factor to that crash,” said Dan Montimurro, the New York State Department of Transportation’s Motorcycle Safety Program coordinator.
Montimurro also said no matter what kind of vehicle is involved in a crash, there is a common denominator.
“Hands down, unsafe speed is a factor in the vast majority of crashes,” he said.
Demographically, those in the 30 to 59 age group who drive cruiser model motorcycles (larger bikes) are over represented in crash data.
Zadrozny suggests one way car and truck drivers can be safe around motorcycles is to simply exercise more caution.
“Never tailgate a motorcycle … there’s no such thing as a fender bender for a motorcycle. What could be a minor inconvenience between two cars could be fatal to a motorcyclist,” he said.
Approximately 44 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes in New York are a single vehicle accident. An estimated 52 percent of motorcycle crashes involved two vehicles.
“Historically, the trend of speed accounting for motorcycle fatalities tends to be consistent,” said Montimurro. “New York tends to mirror what we’re seeing nationwide.”
Both Zadrozny and Montimurro agreed driver distractions such as texting also play a part in many motorcycle accidents.
The Capital District has already seen several motorcycle tragedies this riding season. In June, a Clifton Park woman was killed when her motorcycle was run over by a dump truck. Police said she’d maneuvered the bike in front of the truck at a red light and the driver was unaware she was there. Days earlier, a Ballston Spa man lost his life when he lost control of his motorcycle and careened off the road.
The law in New York
To operate a motorcycle legally in New York, drivers must first have an automobile driver’s license. To get the motorcycle designation, they must take a New York State driver’s test for motorcycles or take the basic rider course.
“The basic rider course is preferable because we practice lifesaving techniques like braking with both brakes efficiently … and swerving when braking is no longer an option,” said Zadrozny. “It’s the gold standard for motorcycle safety training.”
The classes consist of two days of training with 10 hours spent riding a motorcycle, and five hours of classroom instruction. Motorcyclists learn how to maneuver their bikes and determine what their skill level is.
They can also test out driving different types of bikes including those in the three leading categories: sport bikes, larger touring bikes and cruisers like Harley Davidsons, which are the most common bikes on the road.
Fashion makes a difference
One simple way motorcyclists can reduce theirrisk on the road is through clothing. Zadrozny said the Motorcycle Safety Foundation practices and preaches “all gear all of the time,” including a helmet that meets Department of Transportation standards.
He also said that appropriate motorcycle jackets that are well padded and bright are very important, as are gloves, jeans or sturdy pants and boots (preferably ones that lace up over the ankle).
“Be seen, that’s the name of the game,” said Zadrozny.
Attire made specifically for motorcyclists is available in heavier weights for colder weather, and mesh-like materials for warmer months.There are also warmer and water-proof liners depending on the weather.
Carol Breen, a spokeswoman for New York State Department of Transportation, said in general, motorcycle safety is three-pronged.
“We must provide safe roads, motorists must watch for motorcyclists and not follow too closely and motorcyclists must drive safely,”she said. “We build our highways and bridges to be as safe as possible for motorcyclists by providing good sight distance at intersections and by using skid-resistant pavement and durable, long-lasting pavement markings.”
Locally, there are many opportunities to take the motorcycle safety courses. They are offered at Hudson Valley Community College (Capital Area Motorcycle School) and at Adirondack Community College (Adirondacks and Beyond), to name just a few.
To enroll in a motorcycle safety class, log on to nysmsp.org.
