New Study to Focus on Motorcycle Accidents, Causes and Solutions
Researchers will be taking a hard look at the various factors affecting motorcycle riders, as well as offering input on how to neutralize these hazards and reduce the risk of injury to two wheel drivers and their passengers.

May 13, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In late 2009, Oklahoma State University (OSU) announced that it would be spearheading a new study regarding the nationwide increase of motorcycle crashes and fatalities. Teaming with members of the Federal Highway Administration, university researchers will be taking a hard look at the various factors affecting motorcycle riders, as well as offering input on how to neutralize these hazards and reduce the risk of injury to two wheel drivers and their passengers.

This deep dive into motorcycle safety couldn't have come at a better time.

Since 1997, motorcycle rider fatalities have jumped by about 150 percent, annually. In California, one of the most dangerous states for motorcyclists, fatalities increased 25 percent between 2004 and 2007. During those four years, San Francisco alone recorded more than 1300 motorcycle collisions. During the same time, vehicle fatalities nationwide, as a whole, were in the decline.

It's been a while since researchers have really considered the hazards facing motorcyclists. The last substantial study of motorcycle safety was conducted decades ago.

OSU's pending research into motorcycle safety represents a decisive move by the federal government towards understanding the current hazards facing bikers. The study was mandated by a provision in the "Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users" (SAFETEA-LU), which was signed by President Bush in mid-2005.

In the opinion of most motorcyclists, it's about time.

Despite an overall decline in road fatalities, and decreases in nearly all categories of motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle crashes and fatalities have continued to rise. Riders are near unanimous in naming inattentive or distracted drivers as the biggest problem facing motorcyclists.

As if to prove the point, a recent motorcycle awareness campaign in California, sparked outrage from hundreds of drivers following the use of digital billboards asking them to share the road. Many called to complain, unfairly putting the blame for accidents on motorcyclists' heads.

This attitude, according to many riders, is the biggest obstacle to safer roads. Win the war against driver opinion, they say, and you'll see a major drop in motorcycle deaths.

This factor, among others, should be considered in OSU's research. There is no place on the nation's highways for road rage -- especially not directed at motorcyclists who reduce impact on the highway system, relieve congestion, and have an even smaller carbon footprint.

Contact our Bay Area motorcycle accident injury attorneys today for a free case evaluation or visit our site, http://www.bike-law.com, for more information. And please act quickly -- time limits, called statutes of limitations, require that you act promptly to protect your rights.

San Francisco motorcycle accident attorneys (http://www.bike-law.com)
California motorcycle laws (http://www.bike-law.com/CM/Custom/TOCWhatisBikeLaw.asp)
What to do after a motorycle accident (http://www.bike-law.com/CM/WhatisBikeLaw/What-to-do-After-an-Injury.asp)
Preventing motorcycle accidents (http://www.bike-law.com/CM/WhatisBikeLaw/What-to-do-After-an-Injury.asp)
Oakland motorcycle accident attorneys (http://www.bike-law.com/CM/Oakland/OaklandMotorcycleAccidentAttorney.asp)
San Jose motorcycle accident attorneys (http://www.bike-law.com/CM/Sacramento/SacramentoMotorcycleAccidentAttorney.asp)

Press Release Contact Information:

----- -----
-----
-----
-----
-----, -----
----- -----
Voice: -----
Website: Visit Our Website