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Motorcycle Protective Gear: Are We Really Protected?

Motorcycle Protective Gear: Are We Really Protected?. Wayne State University Transportation Research Group Deborah. S. McAvoy, PE, PTOE. Introduction – National Trends . Each Year Motorcycle Crashes Claim Thousands of Lives Between 1995 and 2005

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Motorcycle Protective Gear: Are We Really Protected?

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  1. Motorcycle Protective Gear: Are We Really Protected? Wayne State University Transportation Research Group Deborah. S. McAvoy, PE, PTOE

  2. Introduction – National Trends • Each Year Motorcycle Crashes Claim Thousands of Lives • Between 1995 and 2005 • Motor Vehicle Fatality Rates Decreased 4.4% • Motorcycle Fatality Rates Increased 6.5%

  3. Introduction – National Trends

  4. Introduction – National Trends • Each Year Tens of Thousands of Motorcycle Riders Suffer Injuries • Between 1995 and 2005 • Motor Vehicle Injury Rates Decreased 1.6% • Motorcycle Injury Rates Increased 2.9%

  5. Introduction – National Trends

  6. Introduction – Michigan Trends • 2005 Fatality Rates • Motorcycles: 16.0 fatalities per HMVMT • Motor Vehicles: 1.1 Fatalities per HMVMT • Between 1995 and 2005 • Motor Vehicle Fatalities Decreased 3.0% • Motorcycle Fatalities Increased 4.1%

  7. Introduction – Michigan Trends

  8. Introduction – Michigan Trends • Between 1995 and 2005 • Motor Vehicle Injuries Decreased 4.7% • Motorcycle Injuries Increased 2.2%

  9. Introduction – Michigan Trends

  10. Motorcycle Crashes • Rider is Not Protected by Motorcycle • Drivers of Motor Vehicles are Protected by the Vehicle • Enclosed Compartment • Sheet Metal • Air Bags • Safety Belts • Required for front-seat occupants per Michigan Vehicle Code Public Act 300 Section 257.710e

  11. Motorcycle Crashes • Only Protective Gear can Provide Barrier Between Rider and Roadway • Leather Jacket • Leather Pants • Above Ankle Boots • Gloves • Elbow/Shoulder Pads • Knee Pads • Goggles • Helmets • Required for per Michigan Vehicle Code Public Act 300 Section 257.658

  12. Motorcycle Helmets • Provide Protection • Serious Brain Injuries • Death • 20 States Require Use of Helmets • 27 States Require Use of Helmets for those Under 18 (Typically) • 3 States Don’t Require Any Helmets • Colorado, Illinois, Iowa

  13. Helmet Laws Impacts on States • After Repealing Full Helmet Use Law (Under 18 or 21 Required Only) • Kentucky’s Helmet Use Rate Dropped from 96% to 56% • Louisiana's Helmet Use Rate Dropped from 100% to 52% • Fatalities Increased by 170% Between 1997 and 2002 • Injuries Increased by 58% Between 1997 and 2002 • Arkansas’s Non-Helmeted Death Rates Increased from 39.6% to 75.5%

  14. Helmet Laws Impacts on States

  15. Helmet Laws Impacts on States • Five-year Before (1995-1999) and After (2000-2004) Helmet Law Repeal Study for Florida • Percent increase in Motorcycle Registration = 57.0% • Percent Increase in Motorcycle Fatalities = 99.4%

  16. Motorcycle Observational Survey • 1993 Helmet Use Rate Study (UMTRI) • 99.4% • Based upon 150 Motorcycle Rider Observations • 2006 Helmet Use Rate Study (WSU) • 99.4% • Based upon 2,274 Motorcycle Rider Observations

  17. Motorcycle Observational Survey • Protective Gear Use Rates • Only 15.1% Wear Proper Upper Body Protection • Only 1.8% Wear Proper Lower Body Protection

  18. Motorcycle Observational Survey • Protective Gear Use Rates

  19. Motorcycle Observational Survey • Protective Gear Use Rates

  20. Motorcycle Observational Survey • Helmet Types Observed • Half-Shell • Standard Open Face with Shield • Standard Open Face without Shield • Standard Full Face Helmet

  21. Motorcycle Observational Survey • Helmet Use by Type of Helmet • Half-Shell – Legal (DOT Approved) or Not?

  22. Half-Shell Helmet Issues • DOT approved Helmets • Meet Minimum Levels of Performance • Protect Head and Brain During Crash • Thick Inner Liner • Sturdy Chin Straps and Rivets • Weigh Three Pounds • No Protrusions • DOT Sticker on Outside Back of Helmet

  23. Half-Shell Helmet Issues • DOT Stickers are Sold Separately for Non-complying Helmets • Differentiating Between DOT Approved and Non-complying Helmets is Difficult in Visual Observations

  24. Conclusions • Motorcycle Riders in Michigan are NOT Truly Protected From Death or Severe Injury • 43.9% May Have Improper Helmets • 84.9% Wear Improper Upper Body Clothing • 12.0% Wear Shorts • 52.8% Wear Improper Foot Protection • 68.0% Do Not Wear Body Armor

  25. Conclusions • Michigan’s Actual Helmet (Proper) Use Rate May Be As Low As: 55.5%

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