We wanted to share with you
some information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) as May is Motorcycle Safety
Awareness Month. Motorcyclist fatalities
increased in 2012 to 4,957, accounting for 15 percent of total fatalities for
the year. This increase in motorcycle fatalities continues a tragic trend over
the last 15 years, which only saw a one-year decline in 2009. Crash-related motorcycle
injuries also increased from 81,000 in 2011 to 93,000 in 2012. Safe
riding practices and cooperation from all road users will help reduce the
number of fatalities and injuries on our nation’s highways.
FACTS ABOUT
HELMET USE
· Use of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets decreased to 60 percent in 2012, down from 66 percent in
2011, based on the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS). The decrease
was most significant among motorcycle passengers, decreasing from 64 percent in
2011 to 46 percent in 2012.
·
Helmet use continued to be significantly higher in States that
required all motorcyclists to be helmeted. Ten times as many unhelmeted riders died in States without a
universal helmet law (1,858 unhelmeted fatalities) as compared to States with
such laws (178 unhelmeted fatalities).
·
In 2011, 60 percent of fatally injured motorcycle riders and 49
percent of fatally injured motorcycle passengers were not wearing helmets at
the time of the crash.
FACTS
ABOUT MOTORCYCLES AND ALCOHOL
- In 2011, the percentage of motorcycle operators who were
intoxicated in fatal crashes (27%) was greater than the percentage of
intoxicated drivers of passenger cars (23%) and light trucks (22%) in
fatal crashes.
·
In 2011, 30
percent of all fatally injured motorcycle riders had BAC levels of .08 or
higher.
·
Motorcycle riders
killed in traffic crashes at night were 3.4 times more likely to have BAC
levels of .08 g/dL or higher than those killed during the day (47% and 14%,
respectively).
·
Forty-two percent
of the 1,997 motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2011 had
BAC levels of .08 g/dl or higher. Sixty-seven percent of those killed in
single-vehicle crashes on weekend nights had BACs of .08 g/dl or higher.
TIPS FOR MOTORCYCLISTS
· Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed. In 2011, more than one-fifth of motorcycle riders (22%)
involved in fatal crashes were riding with invalid licenses at the time of the
collision.
· Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and use reflective tape
and gear to be more visible. NHTSA estimates helmets saved the lives of 1,617
motorcyclists in 2011.
- Never ride while impaired or distracted—it is not
worth the risk of killing or injuring yourself or someone else. Plus, a
DUI costs $10,000 on average, and can lead to jail time, loss of your driver’s
license, and higher insurance rates.
To
learn more about the representation we offer Mississippi clients who have been
injured in an auto accident, a dangerous product or through a slip and fall, contact
us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.
At Hopkins,
Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we defend your interests and protect
your legal rights. With more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our
attorneys offer our clients the representation they need. To best meet the
needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan
Espanol.
Or, email
us, like us on Facebook or
follow us on LinkedIn. Just
click below.
