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Motorcycle Crash Causation Study

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Key Facts

The ongoing Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Motorcycle Crash Causation Study (MCCS) is the most comprehensive research effort into the causes of motorcycle crashes in the United States in more than 30 years.
The dataset will include data from at least 350 crash investigations, and 700 control rider interviews.
Partners from Federal agencies, State departments of transportation (DOTs), local police jurisdictions, and the motorcycle industry are supporting the effort with high expectations for its value in improving motorcycle safety.
Data collection will continue through 2015, and a final report is expected in 2016.

The Motorcycle Crash Causation Study (MCCS) is the most comprehensive investigation into the causes, rider demographics, and opportunities for countermeasure development to be conducted in the United States in more than 30 years. When completed, a large and unique data set will be developed that is derived from both actual motorcycle crashes and riders with similar risk characteristics and will focus on the unique circumstances that produce motorcycle crashes. This will offer unmatched perspective into the role of crash-causation factors that are specific to motorcycles and will be used to develop effective countermeasures, craft future safety standards, and reduce the risk of fatalities and injuries for motorcycle riders across the United States.

The image shows a control stop investigator standing in a parking lot next to a parked motorcycle. He is holding a checklist and performing an inspection of a motorcycle belonging to a control participant.

Figure 1. An investigator examines a motorcycle

Background

In 2009, there were 4,462 motorcycle crash-related fatalities in the United States—more than twice the number of motorcycle rider fatalities that occurred in 1997. This increase contrasts with a 27-percent reduction in the number of fatalities in passenger cars and light trucks. In response to this growing concern, the U.S. Congress passed legislation to fund a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) research effort into the causes of motorcycle crashes in the United States.

Figure 2. The number of traffic fatalities and motorcycle fatalities in the United States from 1997 to 2011 (Fatal Accident Reporting System, 2011).

Participants

The MCCS team is comprised of some of the most experienced motorcycle and crash data collection experts in the world. The study is led by Oklahoma State University (OSU) through the Southern Plains Transportation Center. Oklahoma State University is working with Dynamic Science, Inc., Westat, Inc., Dynamic Research, Inc., Collision and Injury Dynamics, Inc., and consultant James Ouellet to develop effective data collection methods, provide investigator training, and ensure the quality of data collected. In addition, the MCCS is using an internationally recognized crash investigation method known as the OECD protocol (developed by Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development). The depth and completeness of the project has led to broad support from Federal Government agencies and other stakeholders.