Summit to increase awareness and reduce motorcycle fatalities scheduled
Comet staff report

Motorcycle fatalities have increased dramatically over the past 10 years in all age groups. Nationally, rider fatalities increased nearly 250 percent among those 40 and older and more than 350 percent among those 50 and older. In Indiana in 2006, 52 percent of all motorcycle fatalities occurred between May and August, the prime riding season. In fact, 10 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities involved a motorcycle last year.

In an effort to reduce these rising crash and fatality rates for motorcyclists, the Governor's Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving will host a Regional Motorcycle Summit on April 26-27 in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Great Lakes Region.

The summit will take place at Indiana State Police #52.

Immediately following the summit, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) will also host a press conference to announce a new motorcycle safety television commercial featuring Governor Mitch Daniels. The commercial will broadcast in designated regions throughout the State during the spring and summer seasons. The ad aims to increase awareness of motorcyclists among all motorists while promoting safe riding practices to all motorcycle operators.

Twenty years ago, riders were typically 18-25 years old and riding small dirt-bikes or dual-purpose bikes. Today, riders are more likely to be 40-50 years old and riding larger, more powerful motorcycles, causing them to account for 24.2 percent of motorcycle fatalities in 2006.

Alcohol is another key factor in fatal motorcycle crashes. Research from NHTSA shows that older motorcycle riders involved in crashes are more likely to have been drinking, when compared to those riders of other age groups. Nationally, fatally injured riders with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher were between the ages of 35 and 39 (39%), followed by ages 40 to 44 (38%) and ages 45 to 49 (34%).

There are a variety of proven countermeasures that motorcyclists can use to increase their safety: + always wear a helmet and the a p p r o - p r i a t e gear; + check equipment before riding; + never drink and ride; + get the right training, it can make a huge difference in motorcyclist safety; + take a course and get licensed to operate a motorcycle.

The Governor's Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving serves as the public opinion catalyst and the implementing body for statewide action to reduce death and injury on Indiana roadways. The Council provides grant funding, training, coordination and ongoing support to state and local traffic safety advocates.