American motorcycle deaths surge
A report from the USA's Governors Highway Safety Association says American motorcycle deaths spiked by around nine per cent in 2012, up to 5027According to a report recently issued by America’s Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the number of motorcycle fatalities recorded in the USA in 2012 is expected to reach over 5000, the figure representing a spike of some nine per cent from the previous year. While the report is based on preliminary data, the GHSA says that most US states have “reasonably complete fatality counts for at least the first nine months of 2012”, allowing it to make its projections with some confidence.
As such, the GHSA puts the projected 2012 rider toll at 5027, up from 4612 in 2011. While still short of the horror year of 2008, which saw 5312 riders die, it still displays a worrying upward trend, and is the 14th year out of the last 15 to record an increase in fatalities.
The report attributes the rising toll to a number of factors: stronger economies in several states leading to more motorcycle purchases; a longer-than-usual period of warm weather in the spring that extended the riding season; high petrol prices that may have encouraged people to switch to motorcycles for more cost-effective transport; and more people riding motorcycles in general.
The report urges US authorities to encourage the use of helmets (stating that 706 of the fatalities last year could have been prevented had the victims involved been wearing a helmet), to discourage alcohol-impaired riding, to reduced speeding, to provide motorcycle training, to ensure motorcyclists are properly licenced, and to encourage all motorists to share the road with motorcyclists.
Click here to view the GHSA report.
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
