Biker death rate on the rise; trend is likely to continue

Higher gasoline prices are likely to accelerate the continuing upswing in motorcycle ownership in South Carolina and increase a motorcycle death rate on the state's highways that already ranks as the 14th worst in the nation, according to an analysis by AAA Carolinas.

"Motorcycle deaths have increased by 40 percent, (from 87 in 2003 to 122 in 2007), in the last five years in South Carolina," said David E. Parsons, CEO and president of AAA Carolinas. "Registered motorcycles in the state represent only about four percent of registered vehicles but they are involved in 11 percent of all fatal traffic deaths. With an increase in motorcycle sales this year, the number of motorcycle fatalities will undoubtedly rise."

South Carolina law allows motorcyclists to decide whether or not to wear a helmet and that is a major contributor to increased motorcyclists' fatalities, said Parsons.

"It is much safer to ride a motorcycle with a helmet," said Parsons. "Decreasing the number of motorcycle fatalities in South Carolina is dependent on the state passing a universal helmet law, which AAA Carolinas supports."

About 75 percent of South Carolina motorcycle fatalities in the last five years were individuals who did not wear a helmet, according to state motorcycle fatality statistics compiled by the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

The state's Office of Highway Safety would support a universal helmet law, according to Ed Harmon, assistant director of the office, a division of DPS.

"We believe that motorcyclists should wear U.S. Department of Transportation-compliant helmets whenever they ride," said Harmon. "We encourage motorcycle advocacy groups in the state to spread the message that they support the voluntary use of protective equipment such as motorcycle helmets."

South Carolina's law for motorcycle licenses allows a motorcyclist to be legally driven on public streets without the motorcyclist ever having taken a Department of Motor Vehicle road test or a state-approved motorcycle training/education course.

Instead, the law allows a motorcyclist to receive an annual permit if they just pass a vision and written traffic knowledge test. The 12-month permit can be renewed indefinitely.

"Motorcyclists should be required to demonstrate their riding ability before being allowed to drive on public roads," said Parsons. "AAA Carolinas supports a mandate to require all motorcyclists to complete a state-approved course before riding on public roads. It just makes sense for the safety of both the motorcyclist and other motorists."

Harmon agreed the lack of mandatory motorcyclist skill training is a big problem in the state. He chairs a state Motorcycle Safety Task Force and said it is developing recommendations including one for a mandatory driver training program for motorcyclists.

"The people who are dying in S.C. motorcycle crashes are mainly in the age groups of 35- 55, male, and don't wear a helmet," said Harmon. "I expect most of those fatalities were individuals who did not take any motorcycle skills training."

"We encourage people to get as much training as possible," said Harmon. "South Carolina does have a good training system in place. We offer motorcycle skills training at nine out of our 16 technical colleges, making it available to 100 percent of the population."

Another factor contributing to motorcycle fatalities and crashes in South Carolina is the state's lack of information about sharing the road with motorcyclists, said Parsons.

"South Carolina does not have a Share the Road program and is one of only two states whose driving manual does not include information about sharing the road," said Parsons. "It is essential that both motorcyclists and other motorists know how to share the road with other vehicles. Motorcyclists need to know where to ride in their lane and motorists need to give motorcyclists adequate time and space when they follow them."

Some of the state's most populous tourist counties - Horry, Greenville and Charleston - are the killing grounds for motorcycles, accounting for 62 percent of the state's 2007 biker fatalities.

The state's motorcycle death toll rose from 87 in 2003 to 122 last year. In those five years the percentage of motorcyclist fatalities as a percentage of all vehicle fatalities increased from about eight percent of all fatalities to 11.4 percent of all 2007 fatalities.

In comparison, one of every nine U.S. fatalities involves a motorcycle, and a motorcyclist has a 37 percent greater chance of dying in a crash than someone riding in a passenger car, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Nationally, passenger car fatalities are at a 15-year low but motorcycle fatalities are at a nine-year high, with 4,810 deaths in 2006, Parsons said.

Annual sales of new motorcycles in South Carolina increased from 2003 to 2006 from 13,600 to 15,750, respectively, according to the Motorcycle Industry County, a national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles. The group does not track the sales of used motorcycles.

National statistics show nearly half of all riders killed are 40 years of age or older. Many new buyers of motorcycles are middle-aged men and they often purchase large motorcycles that are heavy, fast and bigger than what they might have used when they were younger, said Parsons, resulting in a need for more training on how to use the new machine safely.

"Older riders especially have a need for extra training to learn the above-average balance, coordination and reflexes that motorcycles demand," said Parsons, who added that these skills often decline with age and cyclists aren't aware of the decline.

South Carolina requires that motorcyclists be at least 21 to operate and ride on a cycle and successfully pass both vision and road skills tests to ride a motorcycle. The state needs to improve motorcycle safety by mandating the wearing of federally approved helmets, said Parsons.

Motorcycle sales nationally have been on the rise since 1993, almost quadrupling from 356,000 in 1997 to 1.1 million in 2006. Rising fuel prices, expanding sales to middle-aged riders, stylish designs, reduced prices and improved performance have all contributed to the sales boom, according to Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC).

"Due to the price of gasoline, sales are now booming for motorcycles and scooters," said Parsons.

Motorcyclists often lack the knowledge and skills needed to operate a motorcycle safely, said Parsons, "And motorists also need to know how to modify their driving behavior around motorcycles, which cannot stop as quickly as a car."

SOUTH CAROLINA REGISTERED VEHICLES

SOUTH CAROLINA MOTORCYCLE CRASHES

AAA Carolinas recommends that motorcyclists:

Wear a helmet at all times - be sure to replace when broken down and worn. (Fourteen percent of motorcycle riders use helmets that do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.)

Take the stateapproved education course for training on how to ride a motorcycle safely before getting on the highway.

AAA Carolinas recommends that motorists:

Stay clear of motorcyclists and allow them adequate room to maneuver. Do not share the lane - motorcyclists have the same right to lanes as any other vehicles.

Always use your turning signals. Signaling your

intentions before changing

lanes or merging with traffic allows the motorcyclists to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.

Allow an additional following distance of at least three to four seconds

Check your mirrors carefully before changing lanes. Motorcycles are often difficult to see because of their smaller size and/or hidden by blind spots.

Always predict a motorcycle is closer than it appears.