Motorcycle Safety

The CHP presents Thrill or Buzz Kill?, A motorcycle safety video reminding
motorcyclists about the added responsibility and attention the road demands.

In May, 2008, a summit was held in Irvine to address ideas to increase Motorcyclist Safety on the road. Read the note from Chief J.E. McLaughlin, addressing the need to increase motorcyclist safety and outlining the aims for the summit, and the Summary of Ideas to Increase Motorcylist Safety in California, the results from the meeting.

In 2005, 411 motorcyclists were killed and an additional 9,347 were injured in traffic collisions in California. Despite the fact only 2.1% of all vehicles registered in California are motorcycles, motorcyclists account for 9.4% of all traffic fatalities statewide.

Between 1986 and 1999, California enjoyed a 13-year decline in motorcyclist fatalities and severe injuries. Moreover, in 1998, the state reached a 21-year low with 200 motorcyclist fatalities and 6,330 motorcyclist injuries. Starting in 1999, however, these numbers have been on the increase with the number of fatalities, as well as registered motorcycles, in 2005, nearly doubling the 1998 figures.

Although there are over 1.3 million licensed motorcyclists in the state, the statistics on motorcyclists show a disproportionate rate of collisions compared to numbers of riders and to other traffic. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows that for the same per-mile exposure, motorcyclists are roughly 28 times more likely to die than occupants of other vehicles.

Motorcyclists are over-represented in the recent increase in traffic deaths in California.

Data shows a:

• 102% increase in motorcycle fatalities from 1998 to 2005, compared to a 24% increase fro all traffic fatalities statewide.
• 63% increase in motorcycle severe injuries from 1998 to 2005, compared to a 4.9% increase for all traffic severe injuries statewide

Another conspicuous trend involves the number of motorcyclist fatalities and their age. Several groups of riders are overrepresented, compared to their presence in the motorcycle riding population. For example, a small percentage of the owner are riders aged 15-19(4%) and 20-24(6%), yet represent nearly twice that percentage of fatalities (11-13%). A second group of riders that are overrepresented according to their presence in the population is riders aged 25-54. It should also be noted that 90% of the fatal victims are male.

The primary cause for 59% of the motorcycle collisions were attributed to three factors:

• Unsafe speed
• Improper turning
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs

Of the motorcycle-involved collisions, 65% of the fatal and 56% of the injury collisions were the fault of the motorcyclist.

Repeated attempts to repeal California's motorcycle helmet law and substitute it with a lesser version requiring only unlicensed motorcyclists and motorcyclists under the age of 21 years of age to wear a US-Department of Transportation approved helmet have failed int he state legislature. Statistical information continues to support the helmet law, but some adult riders have been advocating its repeal from the moment the law went into effect on January 1, 1992. Advocates of repeal contend it is a matter of individual choice whether to wear a helmet or not, and a personal right to decide whether to take the risk. The idea that motorcyclists over 21 should be exempt from the requirement for helmets completely ignores some other facts that prompted passage of the helmet law. In 1987, before the law was passed, 77% of motorcyclist fatalities involved victims over the age of 21, with 69% of those injured over the age of 21. Despite the fact that most motorcycles manufactured today have two to three times more cubic displacement than those manufactured before 1987, some motorcyclist advocacy groups fail to recognize that these motorcycles are street legal versions of their track and/or drag strip based platforms, and perform at a much higher and therefore more inherently dangerous rate

A prime contributor to the improvement in motorcycle safety and training is the California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) which is a mandated training and education program that is administered by the California Highway Patrol.

As of July 2007, over 507,000 motorcycle riders had received training at one of the program's 107 training sites since the program was initiated in 1987. The program offers a basic and experienced rider course, and the basic rider course is mandatory for those under 21 who are seeking to obtain a motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license. A toll-free number 1-877-RIDE-411, serves as the training course referral service. The combination of motorcycle training and education, licensing efforts, and driver awareness are all working together to give a promising outlook for motorcycle safety in California.

Find out about the California Motorcyclist Safety Program.