December 5, 2006—For Immediate Release
Motorcycle Task Force provides recommendations
OLYMPIA—State efforts to reduce motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries should focus on rider skill and behavior, according to the Department of Licensing’s Motorcycle Task Force.
“I appreciate the efforts of the Department of Licensing to address many different views on motorcycle safety,” said Governor Chris Gregoire. “They’ve presented a strong set of recommendations that will improve safety on Washington roads for motorcyclists as well as other drivers.”
The task force included members of motorcycle rider groups, motorcycle dealers and representatives from the Departments of Licensing, Transportation, and Health, State Patrol, and the Traffic Safety Commission. Their recommendations included:
- Increased training opportunities for riders
- Improvements to the current curriculum, including evaluation and possible adoption of different curriculum
- Increase public awareness of the requirement for all motorcyclists to have a motorcycle endorsement
- Promote motorcycle safety statewide through public information campaigns in partnership with law enforcement and other state agencies.
“I am pleased we could get together with the motorcycle community and work toward the common goal of improving motorcycle safety,” said Liz Luce, Director of the Department of Licensing. “Some of the recommendations they put forth will be included in legislative proposals next session.”
The Motorcycle Task Force was created to look into the steady increase of motorcycle fatalities and injuries, and come up with recommendations on how to reduce them. After meeting for several months, the task force concluded that, while there are multiple contributions to motorcycle crashes that result in fatalities or serious injuries, it appears that the most important factors are within control of the rider. They found that:
- More than 80 percent of fatalities occur between April and September—prime months for motorcycling.
- Half of fatal crashes were single vehicle occurrences; no other vehicle was involved other than the motorcycles.
- The most common contributing factors to motorcycle fatalities, based on law enforcement on-scene reports, are lane error, speeding, alcohol, and inattention.
- One third of fatalities were motorcyclists who did not have a valid motorcycle endorsement.
The Motorcycle Task Force was formed at Governor Gregoire’s direction after she received information during a Government Management Accountability and Performance (GMAP) forum that motorcycle fatalities had increased significantly during a time when overall traffic deaths were declining.
To view the complete report, visit the Department of Licensing’s website at www.dol.wa.gov.