Effectiveness of Motorcycle Training and Motorcyclists' Risk-Taking Behavior

Abstract

Persistent increases in motorcycle fatalities and injuries in recent years have heightened safety awareness and have focused attention on the role that motorcyclist training and education can play in reducing accident rates. In this study a 2005 sample of Indiana motorcyclists was used to estimate statistical models of the effectiveness of existing training programs in reducing accident probabilities. Statistical models relating to motorcyclist speed choice and helmet usage behavior were also estimated. The findings showed that those individuals who took beginning rider training courses were more likely to be involved in an accident than those who did not and that those who took the beginning course more than once were much more likely to be involved in an accident. Although explanations for these findings can range from the use of ineffective course material to changes in risk perception as a result of taking the course, another explanation is that riders who take the course are inherently less skilled than those who do not. The findings underscore the need for a careful and comprehensive study of rider skills and risk perceptions to maximize the effectiveness of motorcycle training courses.

Effectiveness of Motorcycle Training and Licensing

“…Mortimer came to the same conclusion in both his studies (13,14). Savolainen and Mannering reported that trained riders had an increased accident rate (15). On the basis of the current findings, the assumption that training decreases accident involvement cannot be wholly accepted as true.…”

“…Both of the Mortimer studies concluded that trained riders used personal protective equipment more often than untrained riders (13,14). Savolainen and Mannering also found that trained riders used helmets more frequently (15). Thus, the literature supports this benefit of training.…”

“…Thus, this observation may be a reflection of the nature of those who seek training (13). In a study completed in Indiana, Savolainen and Mannering found that only 5% of those who received training never wore their helmet as opposed to the 14% of untrained riders who did not wear a helmet (15). It should be noted that over 55% of the people included in this study were members of the American Bikers Aimed Towards Education (ABATE) of Indiana (15).…”

Effectiveness of Motorcycle Training and Licensing

“…Mortimer came to the same conclusion in both his studies (13,14). Savolainen and Mannering reported that trained riders had an increased accident rate (15). On the basis of the current findings, the assumption that training decreases accident involvement cannot be wholly accepted as true.…”

“…Both of the Mortimer studies concluded that trained riders used personal protective equipment more often than untrained riders (13,14). Savolainen and Mannering also found that trained riders used helmets more frequently (15). Thus, the literature supports this benefit of training.…”

“…Thus, this observation may be a reflection of the nature of those who seek training (13). In a study completed in Indiana, Savolainen and Mannering found that only 5% of those who received training never wore their helmet as opposed to the 14% of untrained riders who did not wear a helmet (15). It should be noted that over 55% of the people included in this study were members of the American Bikers Aimed Towards Education (ABATE) of Indiana (15).…”

Formulating alcohol-influenced driver’s injury severities in intersection-related crashes

“…The elasticity of the variable, Seatbelt, specific to No injury is 69.6%, indicating that relative to non-seat belt usage, using a seat belt may cause a 69.6% increase in the probability of drivers being no injured in intersection-related crashes. These findings are well supported by the previous studies that unrestrained drivers have a higher likelihood to suffer more severe injury or fatality (Savolainen, Mannering 2007;Shankar, Mannering 1996).…”

Investigating the Temporal Instability in Injury Severity Outcomes of Clear and Adverse Weather Crashes on Rural Mountainous Highways

“…In Colorado, increase in probability of fatality/injury from motorcycle crashes was 32% in 2018, 83% in 2017, and 95% in 2015, as shown in Tables 9, 10, and 11. Lack of skill, insufficient protection, unpredictable and risky driving behavior, and exposure to environmental conditions were some of the reasons for higher crash injury severity involving motorcycles that have been determined in other studies (42,67,68). Environmental Characteristics.…”

Effectiveness of Motorcycle Training and Licensing

“…Mortimer came to the same conclusion in both his studies (13,14). Savolainen and Mannering reported that trained riders had an increased accident rate (15). On the basis of the current findings, the assumption that training decreases accident involvement cannot be wholly accepted as true.…”

“…Both of the Mortimer studies concluded that trained riders used personal protective equipment more often than untrained riders (13,14). Savolainen and Mannering also found that trained riders used helmets more frequently (15). Thus, the literature supports this benefit of training.…”

“…Thus, this observation may be a reflection of the nature of those who seek training (13). In a study completed in Indiana, Savolainen and Mannering found that only 5% of those who received training never wore their helmet as opposed to the 14% of untrained riders who did not wear a helmet (15). It should be noted that over 55% of the people included in this study were members of the American Bikers Aimed Towards Education (ABATE) of Indiana (15).…”

Formulating alcohol-influenced driver’s injury severities in intersection-related crashes

“…The elasticity of the variable, Seatbelt, specific to No injury is 69.6%, indicating that relative to non-seat belt usage, using a seat belt may cause a 69.6% increase in the probability of drivers being no injured in intersection-related crashes. These findings are well supported by the previous studies that unrestrained drivers have a higher likelihood to suffer more severe injury or fatality (Savolainen, Mannering 2007;Shankar, Mannering 1996).…”

Investigating the Temporal Instability in Injury Severity Outcomes of Clear and Adverse Weather Crashes on Rural Mountainous Highways

“…In Colorado, increase in probability of fatality/injury from motorcycle crashes was 32% in 2018, 83% in 2017, and 95% in 2015, as shown in Tables 9, 10, and 11. Lack of skill, insufficient protection, unpredictable and risky driving behavior, and exposure to environmental conditions were some of the reasons for higher crash injury severity involving motorcycles that have been determined in other studies (42,67,68). Environmental Characteristics.…”

Effectiveness of Motorcycle Training and Licensing

“…Mortimer came to the same conclusion in both his studies (13,14). Savolainen and Mannering reported that trained riders had an increased accident rate (15). On the basis of the current findings, the assumption that training decreases accident involvement cannot be wholly accepted as true.…”

“…Both of the Mortimer studies concluded that trained riders used personal protective equipment more often than untrained riders (13,14). Savolainen and Mannering also found that trained riders used helmets more frequently (15). Thus, the literature supports this benefit of training.…”

“…Thus, this observation may be a reflection of the nature of those who seek training (13). In a study completed in Indiana, Savolainen and Mannering found that only 5% of those who received training never wore their helmet as opposed to the 14% of untrained riders who did not wear a helmet (15). It should be noted that over 55% of the people included in this study were members of the American Bikers Aimed Towards Education (ABATE) of Indiana (15).…”

Formulating alcohol-influenced driver’s injury severities in intersection-related crashes

“…The elasticity of the variable, Seatbelt, specific to No injury is 69.6%, indicating that relative to non-seat belt usage, using a seat belt may cause a 69.6% increase in the probability of drivers being no injured in intersection-related crashes. These findings are well supported by the previous studies that unrestrained drivers have a higher likelihood to suffer more severe injury or fatality (Savolainen, Mannering 2007;Shankar, Mannering 1996).…”

Investigating the Temporal Instability in Injury Severity Outcomes of Clear and Adverse Weather Crashes on Rural Mountainous Highways

“…In Colorado, increase in probability of fatality/injury from motorcycle crashes was 32% in 2018, 83% in 2017, and 95% in 2015, as shown in Tables 9, 10, and 11. Lack of skill, insufficient protection, unpredictable and risky driving behavior, and exposure to environmental conditions were some of the reasons for higher crash injury severity involving motorcycles that have been determined in other studies (42,67,68). Environmental Characteristics.…”