Motorcycles

While the number of automotive fatalities has dropped significantly over the last decade, the number of motorcyclist fatalities has roughly doubled. The reasons for this are tied to increased ridership, changes in rider demographics, and changes in the types of motorcycles on the road. As a result, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has identified motorcycle safety as a priority with the agency.

Currently, a number of programs are being developed or are in place within the agency to help identify the causes of motorcycle crashes as well as appropriate countermeasures to prevent them. Most notably, a Motorcycle Crash Causation Study will undertake in–depth investigations of real–world crashes to identify the factors that lead to motorcycle crashes. For more information on FHWA initiatives related to motorcycle safety, please refer to the FHWA Office of Safety Web site (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/motorcycles/ ).