What would happen if motorcycle riders were to be trained in proper riding skills and supported by strict legislation on motorcycle safety?

Introduction 

Motorcycles are essential means of transportation. However, they pose severe problems concerning road safety. In 2006, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that the rate of the motorcycle accident was 72.34 per 100,000 in comparison 13.10 out of 100,000 for cars. Motorcycles have higher fatality rate in comparison to any other means of transport; thus it is crucial to address the issue because many rely on the motorcycle for transportation and to conduct business. Motorcycle users are the most vulnerable road users, and they pose a threat to other users. By addressing the issue of high motorcycle accidents, many lives will be saved, and road users will feel more comfortable using the road with motorcycle users. 

Literature Review 

The subject of motorcycle safety has been researched widely. Different researchers focus on various issues, for example, a study by Dee (2009) summarized motorcycles accidents between 1997 and 2005. According to Dee (2009) motorcycles are responsible for 10% of traffic-related fatalities, yet motorcycle users make a small percentage of road users. Motorcycle deaths are on the rise because states have thrown out motorcycle laws that require riders to wear helmets and other protective gear. Countries that have strict helmet laws have reduced motorcycle fatality by 34% (Araujo et al., 2016). 

Agyekum-Boamah (2012) conducted a study on motorcycle use in rural and urban areas in Ghana. The study showed that 50% of motorcycles had been involved in an accident because of the inadequate safety laws in Ghana. Ghana and most developing nations rely on motorcycles for transportation because they are affordable and easily accessible in comparison to motor vehicles. A study by French & Gumus (2014) supports the findings of the survey conducted by Agyekum-Boamah (2012) giving statistics on how the number of motorcycles has drastically increased. As the number of motorcycles increased, motorcycle fatalities also increased. Clark & Morton (1971) talk about the 338% rise in motorcycle ownership between 1954 and 1966. Motorcycle ownership reached its peak in the mid-20th century. 

A report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2002) focused on motorcycle accidents between 1990 and 1999 period. The report shows that the 20 to 29 age group is the leading in motorcycle fatalities and the age of the average rider is 36.5 years. French et al. (2009) explore the relationship between alcohol use and motorcycle accidents. Alcohol use increases the risk of accidents as seen in the NHTSA report. 

The Motorcycle Operator Licensing System (1997) came up with some strategies to reduce motorcycle fatalities. The report entails best practices to guide motorcycle users on how to prevent accidents. The report emphasizes on the need for good riding skills; motorcycle users must learn how to navigate heavy traffic, evasive action to avoid a collision, and how to handle trouble spots among other skills. Another strategy is that motorcycle drivers should be visible to other road users to prevent rear-end collision (Bellaby &Lawrenson, 2001). The article warns motorcycle riders against reckless speeding and riding under the influence of alcohol. 

Research Question 

What would happen if motorcycle riders were to be trained in proper riding skills and supported by strict legislation on motorcycle safety? When motorcycle riders are aware of the dangers of reckless driving, and the do’s and don’ts of operating a motorcycle, they are more likely to be careful. Education and awareness of the high numbers of motorcycle fatalities that could have been prevented will act as a cautionary tale. The government should strengthen its regulatory role to enforce strict motorcycle rules. When the government comes up with strict safety rules such as sobriety checkpoints, motorcycle riders will be forced to be careful. 

Theoretical Framework 

The human factors theory posits that human errors cause accidents. The theory classifies human error into three: overload, inappropriate worker response, and inappropriate activities. Lack of training can lead to all the three forms of human error as poorly trained riders will respond inappropriately in a tight traffic situation leading to an accident. 

Many studies show that poorly trained and unlicensed riders cause most accidents. Poorly trained riders lack adequate skills to operate motorcycles, particularly in dangerous spots. Poorly trained riders pose a danger to themselves and other road users. Thus, this aim of the study is to identify the relationship between motorcycle accidents and rider training. The independent variable is rider training, and the dependent variable is motorcycle accident. Another variable is government legislation; this variable will be investigated because it also affects motorcycle accidents and rider training. 

Hypotheses 

1. Motorcycle riders who are adequately trained on motorcycle operator training course will have a significantly lower crash rate. 

2. Motorcycle riders with no training or with poor motorcycle operator will have a substantially higher motorcycle crash rate. 

References 

Agyekum-Boamah, P. (2012). The growing use of motorcycles for commercial transport and traffic safety in Ghana. Injury Prevention, 18 (Suppl 1). doi:10.1136/injuryprev-2012- 040590s.1 

Araujo, M., Illanes, E., Rodrigues, E. M., & Chapman, E. (2016). 894 Effectiveness of interventions to prevent motorcycle injuries: Systematic review of the literature. Injury Prevention, 22 (Suppl 2). doi:10.1136/injuryprev-2016-042156.894 

Bellaby, P., & Lawrenson, D. (2001). Approaches to the Risk of Riding Motorcycles: Reflections on the Problem of Reconciling Statistical Risk Assessment and Motorcyclists Own Reasons for Riding. The Sociological Review, 49 (3), 368-388. doi:10.1111/1467-954x.00337 

Clark, D. W., & Morton, J. H. (1971). The Motorcycle Accident. The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care, 11 (3), 230-236. doi:10.1097/00005373-197103000-00004 

Dee, T. S. (2009). Motorcycle helmets and traffic safety. Journal of Health Economics, 28 (2), 398-412. doi:10.1016/j.jhealeco.2008.12.002 

French, M. T., & Gumus, G. (2014). Macroeconomic fluctuations and motorcycle fatalities in the U.S. Social Science & Medicine, 104 , 187-193. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.12.019 

French, M. T., Gumus, G., & Homer, J. F. (2009). Public policies and motorcycle safety. Journal of Health Economics, 28 (4), 831-838. doi:10.1016/j.jhealeco.2009.05.002 

Motorcycle operator licensing system. (1997). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2002). Recent trends in motorcycle fatalities.  Annals of emergency medicine ,  39 (2), 195-196. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Motorcycle Safety Program. (2003). Washington, D.C.: The Administration.