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.
Those of us who've been around here know the history of HB's Freeper name. It has nothing to do with bikes....
BTW, if you're Razzle,
is your bike named Dazzle?
Dude! Think of the people who never tried anything fun, and died eating bagged spinach. I would much rather die at 130 mph wrapped around a telephone pole than crapping my brains out on the pot with E. Coli.
A former neighbor of mine was a super-health conscious dude, ate swdust and veggies, worked out daily, andwoudl never have a beer because it was too unhealthy. Well, one day, while I was having a beer with a bunch of neighbors, this guy got killed by a bus. He left behind a great little 8-year old son and a pretty wife. I'm still alive. Thank God I wasn't out jogging with him, I'd be dead too.
I'd bet Sally.
LOL!
Sally Bedazzled is a pretty name.
Yes it is.
"You seem to know something about bikes. Have you ever done any riding for a living? "
I was a semi-pro bicycle racer (triathlete, marathoner, etc.) most of my life but I'm retired now and took up motorcycles in 2002. I never thought of riding a Jap bike and never will. Maybe I'll buy a BigDog or another American custom when I get tired of both my 02 and 06 Harleys. I'm happy for you and other Jap bike lovers, its just not in my character. That's not the way I was raised.
People wearing full-leathers off the motorcycle (or don't even own a bike...) is a phenomenon that I will never understand. My padded and customized Langlitz Leathers are fantastic when on two wheels: well-contoured, protective, and provide ventilation when needed. Why in the world would I ever wear them while driving one of my other vehicles...they absolutely aren't comfortable in that role! I won't get abrasions in my car and I can adjust the heat or air-conditioning to suit my temperature.
I guess I'm satisfied being a competent motorcyclist when I'm on my CBR, a motorist when I'm in my car, and a lycra-clad bicyclist when astride one of my cool Italian steeds. The "marketing" to become a badass always seemed kind of silly to me and I believe you and I are reading from the same sheet of music.
~ Blue Jays ~
To all who wish to argue about Hogs, compared to metrics...
Remember rule #2: Ride your ride.
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