Motorcycle crash facts

It's Sturgis week and motorcycles are everywhere.  Whether the rider is a recreational rider or one who rides 8-12 months a year...their safety is in YOUR hands.





The facts of motorcycle crashes:  Provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation:  (2010)

• 51% of all motorcycle fatalities collied with another type of motor vehicle.
• 1,999 of the two vehicle fatal crashes involved motorcycles and another type of motor vehicle.
• In 770 of these fatal crashes the other type of vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing or overtaking another vehicle.
• In 446 of these crashes both the motorcycle and the other vehicle were going straight.

It's not just the young ones who are hurt in motorcycle crashes.  Inexperience plays a factor but some to not start riding until later in life. 


borrowed from http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/Motorcycles

• The average age of motorcycle rider fatalities is 42.
• The 40+ age group makes up 39% of motorcycle fatalities.

This age group are MOTHERS, FATHERS, SONS, DAUGHTERS, AUNTS, UNCLES!!!  This age group has MANY people in their lives that need them to come home safely and it is up to everyone to do their part in making this happen!

Yes there are other factors in motorcycle crashes and fatalities such as speeding, alcohol and, yes the rider was, not wearing a helmet.  These factors are out of YOUR control.  What is in YOUR control is always looking out for motorcycles when you are behind the wheel.  As drivers it is OUR responsibility to drive safe and protect ourselves and everyone else on the road.  We cannot control all factors but we do have the ability to control what WE do and how WE drive.

Please drive safe and watch for motorcycles.

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Motorcycle safety: Inattentional Blindness

"inattentional blindness". Put simply, it means that if you are not expecting to see something, you won't see it. (Motorcycle Council of NSW, Inc)


According to the Motorcycle council of NSW, Inc. Almost Two out of Three (61%) multi-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle the "other" driver was at fault.  If the multi-vehicle accident happened at an intersection that percentage is raised to 71%. 
Great messages from the Motorcycle Council of NSW, Inc:

"There is also evidence that drivers who lack awareness of motorcyclists are more likely to be involved in crashes with motorcycles (Hurt, 1981)."

"Lack of attention and driver attitude to the driving task are also major road safety issues. Poor driving practices such as changing lanes on curves and failing to maintain crash avoidance space or to check over the shoulder are compounded when drivers divide their attention between other tasks such as eating or using mobile telephones."

"These findings are important and suggest that motorcycle crashes could be reduced by changing motorists expectations and perceptual behaviour. This could involve changing road safety messages to be more specific by establishing patterns of expectation with lists and labels. Rather than exhorting drivers to look to see if anything is coming, the message should be, for example to check for any "motorcyclists". Such strategies could have a major impact particularly on the 55% of all multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes that occur at intersections."

We have all been saddened by Officer Matthew Tyner who died recently, in the line of duty, while riding his motorcycle and through his death maybe we can raise awareness of our actions when we are behind the wheel.

When you do not pay attention a person riding a motorcycle could pay for it with their LIFE!  This 20 second video shows you how quickly not doing YOUR job as a responsible driver can cause devastating outcomes.  This happened at an intersection and although the statistics show it is 71% the fault of the driver...in this situation the other driver is 100% WRONG!

Please drive safe and watch for motorcycles.

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When you don't watch for motorcycles people can die

This week is being dedicated to motorcycle safety as we are currently in Sturgis week 2012. 






Let me explain to those of you who do not understand motorcycles.....just because they can go faster, maneuver easier does not mean they can avoid YOU if you don't see them.  They are trusting each and every person driving four plus wheels to be paying attention to what is around you.  Honestly, when you are driving you should always be doing this anyway...but those on bikes are trusting YOU with THEIR lives.

I have written about distracted drivers and how quickly it can go from bad to worse.  Take that text you send to tell your friend you are five minutes away.....going 55 miles per hour you will travel the length of a football field. 

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation in 2010 1 in 5 traffic fatalities were motorcyclists.  I know there are arguements that these numbers are high because Colorado does not have mandatory helmet laws.  There are pros and cons about this law but that is not what I want to focus on....I want to focus on if you are watching for motorcycles and you are paying attention YOUR actions will not cause an accident.  Those of us who ride motorcycles take a higher risk of injury because we are on two wheels, we have less protection than you do in your vehicles and it is harder to see us IF YOU AREN'T paying attention and looking over your shoulder when you change lanes.  (This should be common practice no matter what.)


Yes, more often than not, motorcycle accidents happen to the "less experienced" riders than the one's who have been riding forever BUT we all started out as inexperienced drivers at one time or another no matter what we drove and no matter if they have only one year experience or 40 years experience riding a motorcyle their lives are precious to someone and no one should be hurt or lose their lives because of a distracted driver....no matter what they drive.
Watch this video on how quickly an accident can happen when you aren't watching for motorcycles.

If each person who gets behind the wheel of a car, truck, semi and, yes even a motorcycle pay attention to their surroundings we can all be safer.

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History of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

 Harley on a Harley

It's that time of year again.  Excitement, motorcycles, food, vendors, alcohol, games and LOTS of fans.  It is very important that you always look for motorcycles on the road but with the upcoming Sturgis Rally right around the corner there will be MANY MORE bikes on the road so please always look for motorcycles....because everyone that rides a bike is precious to someone.

We all know what Sturgis Motorcycle Rally IS but do you know when and why it started?

It's held in Sturgis, South Dakota and it is always the first full week of August...so this year, 2012 it begins Monday, August 6th and ends Sunday, August 12th...but most people start showing up the Sunday before.

The very first Rally was founded on August 14, 1938 and was founded by the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club (who still currently own and operate the tracks, hillclimb and field areas).  The first rally lasted only two days and focused on racing and stunts.

The Sturgis Rally has been held EVERY YEAR since 1938 except during WWII.

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally will have an attendance of 500,000+ each year.  The new "breed" of riders are often found "trailering" their motorcycles to Sturgis (many make this a family event) and camp in RV's in the campground.  There used to be a patch that said they "attended" Sturgis and the year the attended but with many people that trailer their bikes there is now new patches that say "I Rode Mine to Sturgis" with the year.

Whether you trailer your bike, ride your bike or just drive your car it is an event for all.  In the years past it has been known to "get out of hand" and it wasn't really the appropriate place for children but the community stepped in and has calmed the Rally down and now it is a fun environment for everyone.  The "hard" riders will be there the entire week while the "seasonal" riders will show up on the Saturday before it begins to see all the vendors, say they were there and leave before it gets too busy.

Please be safe while driving or riding on the roads.


Zeisler & Associates, Attorney At Law, PC is there if you need them but would hate to meet you because of an accident.  Visit their website for more information

History of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally provided by SturgisRally.com