AN ANALYSIS OF MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LICENSING AND OPERATION

Motorcycle accidents officially reported as having occurred in North Carolina in 1968 were analyzed to determine the circumstances surrounding the crashes, and on the basis of the analyses recommendations are made for licensing and vehicle operation. Altogether, 935 accidents reports were examined. Two main accident categories were set up for analysis: multivehicle and single vehicle. About two-thirds of the accidents were multivehicle, and almost all such accidents involved a motorcycle and an automobile. Moreover, in 62 percent of the multivehicle accidents, the driver of the car was at fault. Rounding curves was the maneuver most frequently associated with single vehicle accidents, which accounted for approximately one third of all motorcycle accidents. Loss of control was also caused when an animal, pedestrian, or bicycle darted into the street or by gravel or oil slicks in the road. Sometimes loss of control occurred when the motorcyclist was trying to avoid a car. The Majority of single vehicle accidents occurred under the most predictable of the situations described--that is, in adapting to roadway curvature. Fatalities occurred in 2.89 percent of all motorcycle accidents. In making recommendations, one factor is overriding: the data analysis indiates that the three major accident-causing situations are amenable to countermeasures. 1) Public Information: Through mass communications, motorist and motorcyclists alike may become mutually more aware; 2) Special Licensing: Guidelines for proper operation of motorcycle can be disseminated, and certain skills can be emphasized and required. Licensing of motorcyclists should include tests of maneuverability, particularly in the execution of curves; 3) Passengers: Carrying passengers can be discouraged. /SRIS/

• Corporate Authors:

  University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

  Highway Safety Research Center
  Chapel Hill, NC  United States  27599
• Authors:
  • Waller, P F
• Publication Date: 1972-8

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: 22 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash investigation; Curves (Geometry); Driver licensing; Driver training; Fatalities; Motorcycles; Motorcyclists; Single vehicle crashes; Traffic crashes
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00260737
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Safety Council Safety Research Info Serv
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 12 1974 12:00AM