Posted on 09/21/2006 12:38:32 PM PDT by martin_fierro
SCDPS: Males Older Than 35 Lead Motorcycle Fatalities
(Columbia) The South Carolina Department of Public Safety released facts today regarding an trend in motorcycle fatalities that shows males older than 35 to be more involved in motorcycle deaths.
The study shows the average age of a motorcycle fatality victim during the time period studied was 41 years old.
This trend in motorcycle fatalities is the opposite of other motor vehicle collision deaths. The SCDPS says the younger, 18-34 year old male is typically the demographic that is overrepresented in fatal collisions.
"Our goal here is not to put a damper on anyone's fun or personal freedom but to educate this segment of our population about the unnecessary risks they are facing," said Highway Patrol Colonel Russell F. Roark. "Inexperience is the key factor contributing to most of our single-vehicle motorcycle deaths."
After observing a steady rise in fatality numbers, the SCDPS formed a task force to look at the facts behind each Highway Patrol-investigated motorcycle fatality in 2005, and those that occurred in the first half of 2006. The committee analyzed motorcycle fatalities from January 2005 until June 2006.
The committee found that there were 156 total motorcycle fatalities during that period. The Highway Patrol studied 114 fatality packets that were complete and were Highway Patrol investigated collisions.
The SCDPS says the same pattern emerged again and again: middle-aged male; driving too fast for conditions; shown as contributing to the collision and not wearing a helmet.
The SCDPS released these numbers: - 114 fatalities studied - 90 percent of those killed were male - 66 percent were over the age of 35 - 64 percent were not wearing helmets - 73 percent of the time, the motorcycle operator contributed - 54 percent of the fatal collisions involved speed as a factor
The SCDPS says Troop Three, located in the Upstate, led the state in the number of fatal motorcycle-involved collisions.
Motorcycle fatalities in the Lowcountry Troop Six varied from the statewide averages, with younger males more likely to die on sport motorcycles.
The SCDPS says the statewide trend in fatal collisions follows a consumer trend as well: baby boomers and those older than 35 purchasing high-end, luxury cruiser motorcycles but failing in many cases to obtain the necessary training or licensing to ride such a motorcycle.
The SCDPS found that between 1990 and 2003, motorcycle ownership rates among baby boomers increased 44 percent nationwide, versus only 6 percent with non-baby boomers. Middle age consumers, are responsible for the fast growing segment of motorcycle registrations.
In South Carolina, the SCDPS says motorcycle registrations have risen in recent years from 56,000 in 2001 to 85,000 in 2005. Motorcycle fatalities have increased as well, the SCDPS says they jumped from 75 in 2001 to 94 in 2005, and they say 2006 is looking to finish as a record year with 84 fatalities so far this year.
A Motorcycle Safety Task Force has been spearheaded by SCDPS and met for the first time this week. The SCDPS says their goal is to bring together law enforcement, motorcycle enthusiasts, safety advocates and the SC Department of Motor Vehicles to work as a unit to find ways to increase training opportunities and educate this demographic to prevent such losses.
SCDPS also wants to emphasize that motorists need to be more aware of motorcycles on the roadway. They say in two-vehicle collisions involving motorcycles, the motorists are more likely to be at fault. The report shows failure to yield is one of the leading reasons motorcyclists die. The SCDPS says it can be difficult to spot a motorcycle in traffic or judge their speed.
Nationwide, the SCDPS says motorcycle fatalities rose 13 percent from 4,028 in 2004 to 4,553 in 2005; almost half of the people who died were not wearing a helmet. The SCDPS says South Carolina had a 10 percent increase during that time.
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Clueless cagers yes, but I've seen my fair share of Boomer RUBs that ride in a bubble of complete mental complacency.
any relation to what brand of bikes they were riding? (old guys on harleys?)
swweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet
Clueless female cagers talking on cell phones!
I can imagine the typical Harley buyer these days is a guy in his prime earning years who wants a fling. I would venture a guess that learning how to ride with such a late start probably has increased risk.
A younger rider might start out on dirt bikes, learn his fundamentals, then transition to the street. An 800lb bike as your first motorcycle probably ain't the safest thing.
i'm seeing harleys more and more as status symbols- on par with escalades and hummers, high in price but lagging in innovation.
i don't (personally) know anyone under 35 with a harley. probably because of the cost of them anymore.
You would think the young guys on the insanely powerful crotch rockets would be the ones having more accidents.
I wonder what the deal is?
crotch rockets are more maneuverable, lighter, have better suspension, and are more aerodynamic.. etc. besides, alot of younger guys, as you said, learned on smaller dirtbikes, and worked their way up, rather than jumping right on the big bikes, at middle age.
personally, i'll take my standard VJMCs over either.
Dont understand, I thought helmits saved lives.
Whatza VJMC?
Add to that, young'uns have lots better reflexes than us old duffers.
vintage japanese motorcycle. 60s and 70s kaws, hondas, yamahas, etc.
yep.
It's always fun to see studies like this have info about the number of LICENSED motorcycle riders, if they have had a MSF (or similar) training program, and how many were the fault of the motorcyclist. But why quibble when he know everything is BUSH Fault! /snide
This is exactly why I decided not to buy my husband a Harley for his 60th birthday. He's in great shape, and a couple of his friends have gotten bikes, but he hadn't had a motorcycle in years, and hadn't ever had one as big as a Harley.
So I got him a Jeep Rubicon, instead, with seat belts and a nice roll bar. He's just as happy.
Yup. Too many old(er) folks (easy, I'm 45) trying riding for the first time. There's more to it than swinging a leg over and grabbing a fist full of throttle.
I started on a 1975 Honda Mini-Trail at the age of 9 and never looked back. I still get all tingly when the rear wheel gets loose. ;-)
My creed for safety:
Give people enough room to be stupid. ATTGAT.....All The Gear, All The Time. No alcohol or meds.
Ride to work, work to ride.
+1....
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