Motorcycle Safety Public Information Program OREGON PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Although motorcycles made up just 2.2 percent of all registered vehicles in the State of Oregon in 1992, they were involved in 5.2 percent of all fatal traffic crashes; and nearly one-half of the victims of these crashes tested positive for either alcohol, other drugs or both. Another 45 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes involved nonendorsed or improperly licensed riders. One-half of these fatal crash victims have some alcohol or drug involvement. Moreover, although crashes are often caused by drivers of other types of vehicles who are not careful of cyclists, most such crashes involve riders who have not been trained to properly operate the bike. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The TEAM OREGON Motorcycle Safety Program is a public education effort designed to reduce the rate injury and death resulting from motorcycle crashes. The program fosters and promotes awareness and safe operation of motorcycles among the driving public. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The program brought together representatives from the Traffic Safety Division, TEAM OREGON Motorcycle Training Program, the Governor's Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee and motorcycle dealerships to design a comprehensive public information campaign. In addition, advertising time and space were donated by television and radio stations, newspapers and transit and billboard companies. The information program for 1991 and 1992 included the following themes: drinking and riding, the "unrider," sharing the road and course promotion. Public information materials were developed to address these problems and how they contribute to or can prevent motorcycle crashes. A combination of radio public service announcements (PSAs), print advertisements, transit advertisements, brochures and posters were used. The specific materials and themes used in 1991 and 1992 were as follows: Drinking rider. The radio PSA "Think Fast" sought to convey the message that even with small amounts of alcohol, reaction times are slowed. "After a Few Beers, They Go Down Easy" was the theme used on posters and transit billboards to communicate the dangers of drinking and operating a motorcycle. Ten thousand posters were distributed to schools, Motor Vehicle Division offices, motorcycle dealerships, insurance agencies, health care facilities and police departments. The "Unrider." This campaign targeted unlicensed motorcyclists. The print ad for it included statistics on the high percentage of riders involved in fatal crashes that are nonendorsed. The message was also included in motor vehicle registration mailings from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Sharing the road. Billboards and transit advertisements with the theme "Equal RightsþShare the Road" were posted statewide. A radio PSA, "Jungle," illustrating the need to share the road with all vehicles was distributed to Oregon radio stations. Course promotion. Materials with the theme, "Young Riders Have Something to Prove," were released to individuals to inform them that all persons under the age of 19 applying for a motorcycle endorsement must pass a TEAM OREGON rider education course. RESULTS Data show that fatal accidents involving motorcycles were at a 20-year low in 1989; fatal and injury crashes involving motorcycles comprised 2.71 percent of all vehicle crashes, down from an average 5.41 percent for the previous 5 years. A survey conducted in 1993 revealed that 92 percent of those surveyed "strongly agree" that automobile drivers should treat motorcycle riders with the same rights as other vehicles on the road. Motorcycle Rider Education Program CONNECTICUT PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Motorcycle crashes remain a serious problem in Connecticut. Analysis of state crash data reveals that Connecticut motorcyclists' injuries and fatalities are highly overrepresented in relation to the number of motorcycle registrations. They are also overrepresented when compared with similar statistics for all motor vehicles. Further analysis reveals that although the number of motorcycle crashes each year is a small part of the total number of vehicle crashes (3 percent annual average), the chance of injury for motorcyclists is much higher than for other drivers. Approximately 83 percent of all motorcycle crashes involve injury, whereas about 30 percent of all motor vehicle crashes do so. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The Motorcycle Rider Education Program seeks to address the human element of operator error by training motorcyclists through the Connecticut Rider Education Program (CONREP). Operator error was a contributing factor to approximately 90 percent of all crashes involving motorcycles. Over the next 2 years, the number of riders expected to be trained is approximately 1,600 in 1994, and 1,700 in 1995 (1,500 were trained in 1993). STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The Connecticut Department of Transportation offers CONREP at community colleges across the state. The course for novice riders includes seven hours of classroom time and 11 hours of practical training on the motorcycle, covering a full range of skills. Students learn how to use controls, turn the cycle safely, brake and maneuver under a variety of conditions. More experienced students receive eight hours of training that builds on the foundation of basic safety skills. The courses, developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, conclude with a skills and knowledge test. Printed materials about safe motorcycle operations are distributed at training sites, Department of Motor Vehicles public rooms and cycle dealerships throughout the state. Connecticut is working with the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators to help New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont establish new and improve existing rider education programs. RESULTS Since the start of the program in 1989, a steady decline has occurred in the number of motorcycle crash fatalities as the number of motorcyclists trained has increased: Year # of Motorcyclists Trained Fatalities 1989 1,002 53 1990 1,170 50 1991 1,292 28 1992 1,551 36 In 1993, 166 courses were completed by 2,093 students. Motorcycle Rider Education Program COLORADO PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Approximately 80 percent of all motorcycle crashes result in serious injury or fatalities, and many of these crashes occur because of the motorcyclists' lack of knowledge or inadequate skills to safely operate a motorcycle. Rider training courses are offered in Colorado cities through the Motorcycle Operator Safety Training (MOST) program but this training is not easily accessible by some residing in rural areas of the state. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES In response, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Office of Transportation Safety established a mobile rider education program with the primary goals of: þ Training motorcyclists who reside in rural areas þ Assisting the newly created MOST state program STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The mobile unit was developed through the Continuing Education Department of Front Range Community College, Larimer Campus in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Colorado Office of Transportation Safety and the MOST program worked closely with the college in developing the program to ensure that the mobile unit would become an integral part of the state program. Both the Basic Rider Course for beginners and an Experienced Rider Course are offered by the mobile unit. Classes are taught on weekends in order to accommodate the greatest number of students. RESULTS Twelve Colorado cities and four motorcycle events have hosted the mobile unit for classes. Over 200 motorcyclists have completed training using the mobile unit. In addition to educating motorcyclists, the mobile unit has been used as a promotional tool for safety courses at existing sites and has been instrumental in establishing a new fixed site in Grand Junction, Colorado. The mobile unit is now self-sufficient under the college and the state-funded MOST program. Motorcycle Safety Program NEBRASKA PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION From 1990 to 1992, motorcycles represented 1.3 percent of all registered vehicles in Nebraska. However, motorcycles were involved in 4.4 percent of fatal crashes, 1.8 percent of injury crashes, and 6.4 percent of the Class A, or incapacitating, injury crashes. Considering that the motorcycle-riding season in Nebraska is approximately 7 months long, motorcycles are involved in a large portion of the state's fatal and Class A injury crashes. A nationwide study has shown that motorcyclists involved in crashes essentially lack training; 92 percent are self-taught or have learned to ride from family or friends. Since 1981, Nebraska has had a state-funded motorcycle training program. However, training activities need to be expanded to reach more motorcyclists. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of the Nebraska Motorcycle Safety Program (NMSP) is to provide standardized motorcycle training courses. The courses include classroom and on-cycle instruction, that covers straight-line riding, maximum braking techniques, turning, swerving and street-riding skills. Risk awareness, acceptance and management are also incorporated into the training courses to enhance defensive riding skills. The NMSP also trains qualified motorcycle instructors to teach the training courses. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The NMSP provides both a beginning and an advanced training course. Five training sites are located across the state. All NMSP instructors are provided with extensive training, are certified by the state, and are provided updated training annually. All graduates of the motorcycle training course are exempt from taking the motorcycle licensing test and are eligible for a two-point credit on their driving record. Of the training sites, the two that are located in Nebraska's two metropolitan areas provide training for 92 percent of the course participants. The demographics of Nebraska make it difficult to fill courses in the western part of Nebraska. Information regarding the training program was disseminated through the efforts of a variety of sources. Motorcycle dealerships provided their customers with course information, as did motorcycle clubs and organizations. Law enforcement agencies distributed public information regarding the available training and television and radio stations aired public service announcements about the courses. Brochures outlining the motorcycle training course were also sent by direct mail to all registered motorcyclists in targeted counties. RESULTS From 1990 to 1992, motorcycle training rates continued at 1.5 percent of the motorcycling population. This percentage has remained constant while motorcycle registrations statewide have decreased by 13 percent from 1990 through 1992. From 1988 to 1990, motorcycles were involved in 5.3 percent of fatal crashes, 3.6 percent of the injury crashes and 9.4 percent of the Class A crashes. From 1990 to 1992, motorcycles were involved in 4.4 percent of fatal crashes, 1.8 percent of the injury crashes and 6.4 percent of the Class A crashes.