THE NATURE OF THE REPRESENTATIVENESS AND ADEQUACY OF CURRENT MOTORCYCLE STATISTICS. SECOND REPORT

The lack of representative and uniform statistical data on motorcycles due to differences among states in recording motorcycle statistics is addressed. Reliable data are essential to chart trends which will assist consumers, the government, and industry in pursuing motorcycle safety. Primary motorcycle data needs are outlined (registrations, accidents, fatalities, licensed operators), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's assessment of each state's accident records system by means of the American National Standards Institute D-20 Standard is cited. Suggested improvements to the accident record system are mentioned (incorporation of driver violation/accident records, road design features, vehicle inspection results, and historical vehicle registration data). The possibility of training police in motorcycle data identification is noted. Secondary motorcycle data needs are outlined: exposure data (accidents by model year, per 10,000 vehicle registrations, and per million vehicle miles); information on motorcyclists (e.g. age, sex, driving experience and education, accident record) and motorcycle trips (e.g. origin/destination, road type, distance); weather data; and changes in motorcycles and their use (e.g. safety improvements, demographics, market changes). The interpretation of motorcycle data in safety evaluations is discussed; control groups and subject randomization are addressed, as well as pitfalls in using existing data.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Conference held in Washington, D.C., 18-23 May 1980. Also published in HS-029 702, International Motorcycle Safety Conference Proceedings. Volume 3, p 1259-87.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Motorcycle Safety Foundation

    780 Elkridge Landing Road
    Linthicum, MD  United States  21090
  • Authors:
    • Winn, G L
  • Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: 29 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00390519
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: HS-029 716
  • Files: HSL, USDOT
  • Created Date: Nov 30 1984 12:00AM