Research Papers (2009 – 2013)

Abstract

The full report completed in March 2010 was based on fatal road safety data gained at that time from Canadian territorial, provincial and federal jurisdictions. Since the start of the year 2000 decade motorcycle death rates had been increasing, partly influenced by greater affluence and resultant increased motorcycle sales. In the latter half of this decade the tide once again turned with fatalities published for 2009 down about 15%. Many of these sales were not to the stereotypical young men but rather to older men returning to motorcycling in middle age. Despite expectation that these riders would behave more responsibly than those junior to them, the reverse was true and fatalities rose. The factors remained the same, speeding, alcohol, absence/misuse of helmet and unlicensed riders. Single vehicle collisions are still a major problem but in multi vehicle crashes the characteristic “left turn” syndrome remains a major hazard for motorcyclists. Car drivers still ignore the narrow image of the motorcycle rider. As far as is known, this is the first report which examines each jurisdiction drawing out the in-depth factors behind motorcycle collisions. Each statistic represents the loss of a human being. It is to be hoped that the recommendations in this report may contribute to discussion to how more lives could be saved on our roads.

David Stewart