I have been writing a lot about the need for additional transportation funding and the next couple of weeks are critical if we are going to see an increase any time soon, but an article came across my desk last week that I just have to write about.
The U of M Transportation Research Center just completed a study of motorcycle crash and injuries with data compiled by the Michigan State Police. The study identified some very interesting and scary things:
- Since 2012, about 25 percent of all motorcycle riders drive helmetless.
- Helmetless drivers of motorcycles account for almost 50 percent of all motorcycle fatalities.
- In 2013, 3.6 percent of all motorcycle riders involved in crashes were killed.
- Reduced helmet use accounts for 24 more deaths and 71 more serious injuries a year in Michigan.
These are facts – the statistics come with names, locations, times, and dates. What is the motorcycle lobby response? They don’t believe the statistics or the studies that show increased cost, injury or fatalities. “Those people just make things up” is what the legislative director for American Bikers Aiming Toward Education was quoted as saying. Incredible!
The Michigan legislature acted on this issue in 2012, allowing motorcyclists to ride without a helmet and they are in no hurry to deal with this issue again. But the data from Michigan, Florida, West Virginia, and other states all point to the same thing. For some legislators, the primary issue is personal freedom. I get that, but freedom for some that results in more deaths and higher costs for me? The medical insurance that riders have to carry does not last long for someone that has a severe injury. Someone ends up paying for all of this potentially avoidable expense: you and me.
Costs are important, but the loss of human life and the impact on families is far worse. What I really don’t understand is the spokesperson for the motorcyclist group flat out dismissing the information. The group is doing their members a disservice by not looking at the information and deciding on the proper course of action. I wonder if anyone really cares for the people losing their lives or is this just a political issue about who has the most power? The sad thing is that over 900 people lose their lives each year on the road in avoidable crashes and we just seem to continue to accept that as the price of doing business. Dismissing information does nothing to prevent even one life from being saved and that is just tragic.
It shouldn’t be about politics. It should be about people.
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