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Safety Issues: Awareness in Colorado Date: April 18, 2008 New Motorcycle Safety Campaign:
Denver, CO – Motorcycle fatalities are on the rise in Colorado, doubling from 45 in 1995 to an all-time high of 90 deaths in 2007. Over the past five years (2003-2007) in Colorado, 402 riders and passengers have been killed in motorcycle crashes. Of those riders, the vast majority (88%) were men and 44% were age 45 or older. Alcohol was a factor in 35% of the fatal crashes, and 80% of the riders were either not wearing a helmet or it was improperly used. "These statistics are very troubling," said Pam Hutton, Chief Engineer and the Governor's Representative for Highway Safety at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). "While the number of motorcycle registrations in Colorado has increased, the rate of fatalities has accelerated at a faster pace. Most Coloradoans, riders and motorists alike, believe one of the single best things one can do to reduce the number of fatalities is to be more aware and take a rider training class. That's why CDOT has launched a new motorcycle safety program, called 'Live to Ride,' to encourage rider education and motorist awareness." "We saw a record number of motorcycle crashes and fatalities on Colorado roadways last year, especially in Denver, El Paso and Adams counties," said Sergeant Rich Munroe, supervisor for the Colorado State Patrol's motorcycle team. "Most of the fatalities are men, and most are not wearing a helmet," Many men think they're invincible, but when they encounter unexpected road hazards, far too many of them are not experienced enough to handle these types of situations. Statistics show that training and helmet use can reduce the number of fatalities and reduce medical cost of injuries sustained." CDOT has developed a new motorcycle safety Web site to specifically address rider and motorist safety issues, including riding under the influence, use of proper gear, and tips for motorists. The new site may be found at www.comotorcyclesafety.com. The new motorcycle program focuses on training as the first step a rider can take to riding safer, and enjoying the ride longer even for those experienced riders who have been riding for years. CDOT has partnered with a number of organizations throughout the state to encourage more riders to take a motorcycle safety-training course offered by MOST-certified trainers MOST stands for Motorcycle Operator Safety Training, and its mission is to provide high-quality, low-cost motorcycle training to residents and active-duty military personnel. MOST is administered by CDOT and offers a variety of courses that prepare motorcyclists of all skill levels to ride safely, have fun and most importantly stay alive. "The skills I learned in a motorcycle safety class were both priceless and lifesaving," said Shannon Boyles, motorcycle rider for life. "Recently I took an experienced riders course that I learned about through the Colorado Department of Transportation. The training was conducted by a MOST-certified training organization. It was a great refresher and reinforced some critical riding skills. I took the class with my 64-year-old dad, Peter Boyles, who's been riding for years, and was shocked to hear he learned so much from the course. I tell people, if I can take this class, anyone can." CDOT has also partnered with insurance companies Allstate and Progressive to offer discounts for completing a MOST safety training class. "Insurance companies have signed on as 'Live to Ride' campaign partners because they know many riders also care about the pocketbook advantages to safety training," said Carole Walker, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. "Many insurance companies offer discounts of 10 to 15 percent for graduates of certified training courses." To offer attractive rider incentives for those who have taken a MOST class, the new program has teamed up with a number of motorcycle dealerships. For a list of participating dealerships and other program partners, visit www.comotorcyclesafety.com. The 'Live to Ride' Motorcycle Safety Campaign will continue through the summer months to encourage riders to use safety gear and explain the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. # # # Safety Tips: Watch aggressively for motorcycles. · Search the traffic around you constantly and expect to see motorcycles. · Check your blind spots before changing lanes or merging, especially in heavy traffic. · Double-check traffic at intersections before you turn or pull out. Motorcycles can easily be hidden in traffic. Look for a helmet above, tires below, or a shadow alongside a vehicle that you can't see around. Anticipate hazards that may confront the motorcyclist and predict how the motorcyclist may react to the situation. · Poor road conditions, bad weather, flying debris, oil slicks, and heavy traffic pose high risks for motorcyclists. Allow a minimum two-second "space cushion" when following a motorcycle. · Pick out a fixed object ahead of you. When the motorcycle passes the object, count off, "one thousand one, one thousand two." If you haven't passed the same object after two seconds, your following distance meets the two-second minimum. · In poor driving conditions, at higher speeds and at night, use a four or five-second following distance to give the motorcyclist more space. Watch out when turning left. · Most crashes between cars and motorcycles involve turning left at an intersection. If you are preparing to cross traffic or turn left, take a second look for motorcycles. · Because motorcycles are smaller than cars, it is harder to see them and more difficult to judge their approach speed in traffic. Share the road. · Do not drive your car in the
same lane as a motorcycle. It is unsafe and illegal. Failure to obey and yield the right-of-way can result in the death or serious injury of a motorcyclist. · Stay focused on the driving
task. Inattentive driving is a major cause of car-motorcycle crashes.
· Remove all possible distractions that can interfere with the driver's attention, and remove any objects that may block the driver's view. Key findings · 90 riders and passengers were
killed in motorcycle crashes in Colorado in 2007, the highest ever
recorded (that averages almost 8 deaths every
month) 88% of those
killed were men _____________
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