Motorcycle Deaths and Injuries Continue to Climb in Arizona

Phoenix, Ariz. May 8, 2007 – Motorcycle sales are on the rise in Arizona, and unfortunately, so are the number of riders who are killed and injured in the state and across the country. As May kicks off Motorcycle Awareness Month, it is important to shed light on an issue that claims thousands of lives a year.

While motorcycle crashes only account for about two percent of all vehicle crashes in Arizona, 150 motorcyclists were killed and 2,645 were injured  during 2005, a 27 percent increase from 2004 and a 50 percent increase from 2001.  Across the country, the total number of fatalities in 2005 increased to 4,553, up 545 from the previous year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

According to AAA, the number of motorcycles registered in the United States has soared. Motorcycle registration has increased nearly 50 percent in just under a decade.   Unfortunately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports the growth in motorcycling has been accompanied by a 115 percent increase since 1997 in the number of fatal crashes involving motorcyclists.

“The number of cars, trucks and other vehicles vastly outweighing the number of motorcycles on the road,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs manager for AAA Arizona. “Due to their small size, one of the leading causes of motorcycle crashes are drivers who unintentionally fail to see or notice a rider. In fact, in 2005, nearly 40 percent of motorcycle crashes in Arizona were due to other motorists’ failure to recognize riders, resulting in over 50 percent of Arizona’s motorcycle fatalities.”

AAA Arizona recommends that drivers acknowledge the following:

• Motorcycles may be difficult to see, as they have a much smaller profile than a car or truck.  When changing lanes or turning at intersection, take a few extra seconds to check traffic thoroughly.

• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. This allows motorcyclists to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.

• Motorcycles are often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their small size. Always check mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic at intersections.

• Motorcycle signals are not usually self-canceling and sometimes riders forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed.

• Allow more following distance when following a motorcycle so the rider has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.

• Minor road annoyances such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces can pose major hazards to motorcyclists. Understand that riders adjust their speed and lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off.

• Give motorcycles the same lane area you would give another vehicle. Although it may seem as though there is enough room in the traffic lane for an automobile and a motorcycle, a motorcyclist needs the complete lane area to maneuver safely.

“Considering crash statistics and the increasing number of motorcyclists on the road, learning to share the road is the key to a safer traffic mix for all motorists,” said Gorman.

AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to nearly 750,000 Arizona members.  Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists.  Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.