The CHP presents Thrill or Buzz Kill?, a motorcycle safety video reminding
motorcyclists about the added responsibility and attention the road demands. California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) - The CHP is statutorily responsible for California's official motorcycle safety training program. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 2930-2935, the CHP administers the program through a primary contractor, currently the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. As of March 2012, over 800,000 motorcycle riders have received training at one of the CMSP's 134 training sites since the program began in July 1987. The program consists of a 15-hour classroom and on-cycle Basic RiderCourse (BRC). The BRC is mandatory for those under the age of 21 but is also recommended to those 21 and older who are seeking to obtain a motorcycle endorsement on their California driver license. The CMSP also offers the Premier Program which is an extended BRC consisting of 7.5 hours of classroom and 13.5 hours of on-cycle time. While not part of the CMSP, the CHP and its partners encourage all riders to be life long learners. Riders can refresh or enhance skills at a Basic RiderCourse2. A website, www.ca-msp.org, serves as the training course referral service. Find out more about the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. ![]( "A beginning motorcycle rider receives instruction from an instructor") | Data received from the California Office of Traffic Safety shows:
Motorcycle fatalities in California increased 175% in ten years, from 204 in 1998 to 560 in 2008. These increases in motorcyclist deaths occurred at a time when significant gains were achieved in other areas of traffic safety. Although we did experience reductions in motorcycle fatalities in 2009 and 2010, preliminary 2011 data indicates a possible increase and motorcyclists are over represented in overall numbers of traffic deaths. | ![]( "Beginning motorcycle riders in a training class") | ![]( "A line of beginning motorcycle riders in a training class") | | A class of beginning motorcycle riders receive instruction. |
| California Motorcycle-Involved Statistics - Between 1986 and 1999, California enjoyed a 13-year decline in motorcycle-involved fatal and severe injury collisions. However, starting in 1999, these numbers steadily increased over a 10-year period peaking in 2008. It is important to note, however, that according to 2009 and 2010 data, motorcycle-involved fatal and injury collisions are down significantly.
Despite the strides in reducing motorcyclist fatality and injury collisions over the past couple of years, statistics on motorcyclists show a disproportionate rate of collisions compared to numbers of riders and to other traffic. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report shows that for the same per-mile exposure, motorcyclists are roughly 28 times more likely to die than occupants of other vehicles.
Another conspicuous trend involves the number of motorcyclist fatalities and age. Several groups of riders are over represented, compared to their presence within the motorcycle riding population. For example, a small percentage of the motorcycle operators are riders aged 15-19 (4 percent) and 20-24 (6 percent), yet represent nearly twice that percentage of fatalities (11-13 percent). A second group of riders over represented according to their presence in the population is riders aged 25-54. It should also be noted that 90 percent of the fatal victims are male.
The primary cause for 59 percent of the motorcycle collisions were attributed to three factors: unsafe speed, improper turning, and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Lastly, 65 percent of the fatal and 56 percent of the injury motorcycle-involved collisions were the fault of the motorcyclist.
Motorcycle Helmets - Repeated attempts to repeal California's motorcycle helmet law and substitute it with a lesser version requiring those under 18 to wear a United States Department of Transportation compliant helmet have failed in the state legislature. Statistical information continue to support the helmet law, but some adult riders have been advocating its repeal from the moment the law went into effect on January 1, 1992. Advocates of repeal contend it is a matter of individual choice whether to wear a helmet or not, and a personal right to decide whether to take the risk. The idea that motorcyclists over 21 should be exempt from the requirement for helmets completely ignores some other facts that prompted passage of the helmet law. In 1987, before the law was passed, 77 percent of motorcyclist fatalities involved victims over the age of 21, with 69 percent of those injured over the age of 21.
Motorcycle Safety Grants: The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will implement a 12-month traffic safety grant to reduce motorcycle-involved collisions on popular roadways and mountain range areas throughout California. To maximize enforcement efforts, each CHP Division will identify and concentrate on problematic locations on routes within their respective Areas, where motorcycle-involved collisions are the highest. Grant activities will include enhanced enforcement, a public awareness and educational campaign, and paid media campaign will be launched to show a "share the road" Public Service Announcement. The project ends September 30, 2012 . The grant will be disseminated throughout CHP field Divisions between October 1, 2011, and September 30, 2012.
Strategic Highway Safety Plan, Challenge Area 12, Improve Motorcycle Safety - The MSP Unit is responsible for co-leading and participating on this dedicated challenge area. A most recent accomplishment was the internal development and distribution of a 12-minute DVD, 700 Gs, It's a Killer, which provides education about proper and legal motorcycle safety helmets. The MSP Unit is in the process of developing additional action items in collaboration with its partners including the Department of Motor Vehicles, California Department of Transportation, and Office of Traffic Safety. Action items are expected to commence in October 2011 with a target date of completion for most items to be October 2013. |
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