Table Of ContentMOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CAUSE FACTORS AND
IDENTIFICATION OF COUNTERMEASURES
VOLUME |: TECHNICAL REPORT
HH. Hurt, dr.
J.V, Ouellet
D.R. Thom
Tralfic. Saiety Center
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California 90007
Contract No. DOT HS-5-01160
Contract Amount $501,814.00
JANUARY 1981
FINAL REPORT
‘Speinfles, Vrinta 22761
Prepared for
US. DEPARTMENT GF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Washington, D.C. 20590
Th! Cocument wae seepared under the sponsorship
OF the Natintal Caster ur feazcacies and Analysis,
Nat inoai Etghvay Tesztic Satery Aewinlstrazioa,
Iepaeineat a2 learaportat fon, la the interes 0
Snformation exvaage. Tay (ited Srages Coenenment
anauxes no 2fabilicy fe
Tey quntents or see thesvoc.
She fencagh an€ sencletous im this noozt are those
Gl the wusior and not wransarily those of Tie
Shtiveal Aigheay “wafde Safery Almfadetracion,
“oehaieal Kepor? Documentation Page
ae oars TT Ree ES 1
ina Reporte
| Motorneulw Sen iéemt Cage Paniary end,
Tdentifica. ion u Guuntmrmenseireg
CHUM, WW. dee, OSELLET, Jey end TAO, 2.8,
thivevsiey of Socihorn t
Traffic ftafery Center
Hotoreyele Aceicent eeeeveh
Uriversicy tore, lon Ange
U.S, Jepartzsct © Teassportation
nations Highway Texllie Sa'ely Admnietration
ecdingsan, Tac. 20990
‘cocttset Technical tacager - sichalas ¢. ‘Tanmgos, NCSA
fone) €26-9178
‘ais reper? praseate the deta and Elodiags Eran whe avencema, leodegth H
aeestigotions of 300 wotnr=ysle accideats and che analysis of 2000 “raffte
ancideat rerates of mctorsycl: acciden:s in the sane study area.
Conpeckunsive deta voce cullccled und syotaccizce tor tacse aecidents to
cover al. detalla of saviranmectal, vehvela sad has factore
Sn adéitdoa, exponuze date were ecizected and avelyaa’ az S02 aceldenc
ites Bt 26 sane Eimc-of-sey, samy deyof~veek, wth samy rovicimmen! i
condition. ‘Thugs expugiire cal gutine the ponulation at risk vo he
conpatiaon with sccsiens dete will reveal che factors wileh eve over~
represented dn the acciden= populacian.
ha wnwhysiy ead review uf Vheue énin idenedéy conse factirs of matacugele
Eeetdects, te_ateo the effectivenasa af safety equiprant and protective
feviees, and iden=ifles countermsasures for accidest and injury prevention
Yolura Tia the Secloaieal Report cant laine tae man giyniCieant dt
data analysis, findangs, consiusions and Tecommentas countorvea20Tes
Wolwre TT is thy anpendis with terniomtony, fielé data fot
supplamentai duty and auatys
wptoryeles, Uetureyele Acvideats, tstimitea
Uororyele infuries, Satety Hels juallable envovga the
Estional Yechazeal aforwttan Sars‘
Spricgtie:d, YA 22161
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TECHNICAL, SUMMARY
nay Hs5—p1t60
Final aspnet-Hotarcyele Accident Uauan Fackare .
Mond Identitizas jon of Countermenrst plamuasys 981
University of Saulturn Cali fornia
j-th. Nurt, Jets J wl Oe Be thor
Dojectives. three specific areas nuce uel au ubjectives in this rrasarch: (1) Tho
Egusca of wotarcyele dueidenta and injuries ned to he caterminad oo that all
Eenteibutéons ol tlw aotornycle rider, var uPiver, TwAusay fentires, and aotnrcycle
esign are defined, (2) The effectivenenr af safety holuels ond other protective
couipment must. he determined Beoause the yotoreyele riucr haa nu erash pentectian
Tinlose 3 1g being wna on the budy, and (3) C0 jyres wut be deterained
hich nil] prevent matareyrle evuideuls ond red rien
Huthoubluuy. This research wa eyndunted in Los Angeles, Cubiforiu, Tram July, 1975
UnELT Septonber, 138M at the TnalTic Safety Center of the Univereaty of Southern
Falifornin, A opecinliznd tea wae fursod with engineers, psychologists, mica)
doctursputhulayisls anu mitnreyele techniviune ALL werbere a the raaravch team
vere cequired tu huve sutoreynle riding cxpericnce ao thot they could sppseciale unl
Understand all hazards peciliar to the mataryelu aed its accident. prablens. This
resrarch tran underwant ix wanths of special training to achdeve a hiyh capability
in reronatructing mtoruyels accidents, exanining aafsty helncts, evatimting injuries
Anterviewng witnesses, tu, [9 Additien, cooperation ‘was obtained from law enforces
iment agencies, fire departuoit ceacus anbulance services, hoepitels and-Uke evconer~
medical examiner, 39 that the reaoarch team could have aecea ta accident sounes, intone
Giow vinking and witneanes anc vollect injury information.
During 1376 and 1977, the motoreycle aceadent research team conducted ansrane, in~
spt Siveutiqutians yf mare thon 900 mpbareycle accidents by qaing to the srane nF
the arsident. nt atl times uf the day and all daya of the urck. Coch accident vas
rompletely reronstructed and appraxinately 9 thousand data elerants vers deluenined
for onch zneident, Alan, 3600 police Lraffin accident reparta were collected in the
sare urea, ol the sone tiae, for eonparisan with the 900 an-seane, in-rapth sce! dent
bases. During 1970 wil 1978, thees accident caccs Nene ann1yze! and axpasure data
toltectad al 305 of Lhe 900 reference accident sites. The research tea returned to
the arcicent sites al the sare Line of dey, eame day of weok and sare vnvixunstrental
tonditions then intervicnod 7510 mntorayele nicere end evanivad LlwiP asluneyoles.
Informtion vag nolfected abuul Lralning, experience, afration, helrct usc, alcaliol
And dtug ust, ete. for all these vatocuycle riders why were at the sane place at the
Sang tine of cay but not involved in eri aveiuonk.
‘The accident date from Lhe 900 en-srane, in-depth cases ere wvolyzed Lu delermine
accident and injury eausaa. Then the exposure date were compared With accident data
to daternino these Frotors which, vary wulstending, For exnrple, avly 30H of the
en
antoreyelos in Lie accident dita hed the headlam on in rnyTight bub S08 uf the
notoreyeles in Lhe exposure data had the herdlamp ox iu dayliuht. Sue eanparison
Tdentifies the use of Lhe headianp on in daylight as 2 poverciil on effective way
Bf reducing arcidant involvement, Ly making the miorcycla more conspériinus in
traffic.
Notnreyele auvidenle thet occur in Las Angulay are cosentially the sam as motoreyrle
peoidents that secur in other JocaLione in the United Slutes. The mat fraquont us
Of 8 mntareyele is 1m favorable rouble becsuse there 1s no protection far tlw autor
bycle Tider in bad Weather snd Liv Futuroyele Lacks stability on slippery road
Poel motorcycle accidenls uccur in this favorahle weather simply because of the mare
Frequent nse, and human eetor ia the daninant. feature in Lice Aceidents. tence, Lhe
fucluru Edendified in thie Tenmasch whulld he conoon ta walurcycle acridents in’ other
vegions. The only ifference 15 that the Tavoruble ‘eather of the sluly area sLloved
the utuly of a very larre number of motorcyele acririents.
The most caswn motoroyele accidenl, involves another vehicle
‘ollision hy violating the right-of-vay of the mntoreyela at an inter
Section, usually by turning Left in froal of the anceainy motorrycle because the car
Univer did not see the motareycle. The notomyete Tider invalved in the secidant is
uuually Enconsptcucus, in Lraffic, anckporienced, untrained, unlicensed, mpeotected
and uningured and does a oor jab aF avoiding the collision.
The datu of this secident, research provide Lhe following principal Cindings:
(@) Seckdent and Injury Ceusus-The autonahile driver Tails to detect the inconspicuous
motoreyele in trafic, This #9 due tu luck of mntareyele and rider conepicuily rd
Tack oF caution end avacenesa of the aukowbite driver. Tho Jack nf akill and trefie
Strategy increas the imluseyela Tider’ involveneat in collisions. Tnjury severity
Incresses ‘ith collision speod, and the lack af Head protection acecunts for the nos:
Severe ‘sul preventable injuries.
(2) Protective Equipmunt-The andy slynificent protective equipment $s the qualified
tafety hrinet, aid it is capable of w upectscular recuetion of hesd injury severity
aid frenosney. FINS 216 provides = highly qualified surety helmet for use hy nobar~
nyele Tiders. Thin research shows HO reasons fur a mutoreycle rider Lu be without»
Safety lielmets qualified helnets do not Himt vision or hesring in traffic er couse
injury.
GG} Countermessures-The hasin Hataveyele Rider Course af the Hotorcycle Safaty
Foundation in effective 4m treining wlorcyele riders; those trained riders ere bull
ees involved and less injuced in motoreyele acriaents. This cuusae-or its equi valent
hould be mle a prerequisite, of nt least carequisite, of notareyele use und should
be applied in uriver impeovoment for thoac aotoruycle riders who have reccived
traffic citations ur wha have beon invnlved in accidents. Linensing of mitoreyele
Tiders should be inprover with special motorcycle Ticenmce und improved tasting
hich af has been developed hy MITSA-Tiul Fie Safety Programs. Lay enforcanent ehoulu
act to enfarce license raquiremets, iduntify aleghol—invalved mutureycle riders,
Tenove dirt bikes fran traffic, and effactivel cite and file ayainst culpable
accident-involved autanobi lr rivers uz nell sg motorcycle riders. Nook motorcycles
En sceidents ere inconspicunus, and the use ef hoadlamis on drt eaylight and high
visibility jaciets definitely fefuces acvidenl Involvement. The use of a qualified
saéety helmet reduces head injuries siqnifleantly and the accumpanying oye
prataetion attached to the hwinet preserves. visiar and redures accident involvements
YABL2 OF CONTENTS.
VOLUME 1 TSCHR IAL Ha er Page
Tet) smarsry L
LiL Dbjeclives
112 wethedslogy 1
1a Reagaveh Fiaéings 2
2.0 ISTECDUC=TON 4
Mistevical Qverview 4
Objectives of the Zescurch 5
The Study arce z
Acknowledge s
2.0 OLVKLEBMIENL OW THE 25BARCH ira
Del smrdieseca approach 12
Prajecr Seaninle Li
Prager. arson 45
hare GoTlection 2lan 1b
4.0 RESLARON NEcHOMOLE “
‘4.1 Miginan and Losperetive agreensncs ira
Team Treicing w
Bampting Per a
hell Beeg llection Aetivetdes be
Gaslizy control a
Tata sxocessing and Soalysis 2
Reswateh Recommendations ue
5.0 aUCIUENT CRARAGFEISTICE AND RECTMOMMNTET FACTORS 6
5.1 USC Aseddane Data fiequisition 3
NE Ageddent Distrisut fut oy ‘ims, Joy, and Noth a
S53 Gbjects Tavalvel tu Gall gine with Matorsysies 33
Sik geatdanr Franfoctacing Fancor 3
Srectiraah Yaviele tatiana te
Aetident Seano, Ty>e of area 4
Seeidace Samm TLLming ier 6
eeddont ferme Weather Conditions at Tims of Accidane 42
Tria Hlac, Mocoreyele Wider avd Uther Vehicle river 2
ise Kidiag Befors decident 33
Eotoreyele Soatvey 5
ther Vaniele Rowdeay 36
‘Tealfie Lewity 5
Traffte Control 37
Precrasa View Gastenctinay and |tmiliel inuy to Taton 8
ie imal Lyvoivenens co
Porn aiouley 5
Fo
ppposagspagso od
mero 40
LAN OF COITENTS (uattauee)
Ravaveysle Size ant Type
Nnauacterar of che Azeddant—Tavelve? Hatoreyele
fear of “aaufaccure, of Mndel Year
Prelomina! ing Culor of the Movorcysle
Cullision Cuutact on the Hotoreyale
Nicurayele taddticartons
Fuel Syaten Giravnwarthiness
Pre-rarh and Crass Speeds
Rontrsbucory Tire Goud Tt Hons
Cornering Clearance
Prevtrash Line! SiH
Grash Yar 4!fecliveness
veniele befacts
Other Yeldsle Involved in ene
Motorcycle
jeeident WiLh chee
st, PASSENGE?, AND OTHER WRETCISS DRLURR
(uuxac TERISTICS
Hocorsyele Ridse xe
Hornsryela Riese Sex, Yertzal Statue, children
Nocasryele Rider Retghe aad Wedght
Mocoreyele Yor Mextipat km grad Keluaeroa
Mocoreyele Maer License Cualiticat ion
Mocoveyele Mdot Teatfie “olation and 2ectdent
toperience
Yororeyels tides Training Faueriance
Yerareyele Rider Diet elke experience
Morneigule Rides Sersec Mke Experience
Uaturugele Rider Faniliarity with Roatzey
Motoreyele Rider Tend Preference
Yotorevole Rider Alechol and Divg “nvulwezent
Molernjets Ridar Poysielogival Lipai reas
Hin wecgele Ridat Charecterisctes, Tattoos
UaLocopele Rides Parfurnaize, Ader Attention re
briving Tas
Yotoreyols Rider HorEormance,
ayn needdene
Holoreynla Ridex Collision Avetdance Perforzance
Notorsyaly Rider tase 0! Gontrol
Holoreyels Pnmegre Se
Notersyele Passenger eight and Weigh,
Notorsvel= Occupation
Hotoraye2s cesenner Kyaorience
Hotoreyara Harsenger 2LeoW0! and Jeug mvalvensae
Acne? Wahicla Delver age
Oshe: Wehieze Driver Sez, erita® Statns, chitaces
Osher Webiele Delver Ranta: inn gad Orewa tom
Other Yehicls Driver License Gualificacion
Other Sehicle Driver Experts
Wher Vebhala Driver Alen) gad Thug Lavelvenent
Rider Stress un
8.0 RUMAM FACTORS =
ca
ie}
2.0
YABLS bs CONTENTS (Cua2iouad)
SIURIES
lajurios = GanaveL Unaraccerdetdes
Hilae snd Paaseoger Post=ions cn the Uetereyele
fae crest Zpac=
Mocareyele, Bieec and Passenger Yol ier After
Collision Contact
Gi-fcnse Hedivel asadaceace and Lajury Status,
Netereysle fader onc Passenger
Somatic (Rody) aagion Lajuraa
bread ord Seck Injiries (Tacluding Pace)
cnjury Vachanisms, contest Surfaces
Injury Sssosiation: Téfects of Speed, alzcaol Tavalve—
gent, gee Mourreyele Size on -wiery Soveriey
Traceechon Systane - General Characturauting, Heleats
Safety elmer Use Charsscariat ies
Helmet weaufaeturer end Cone ruction
Eeloet Retention Systen Parfernance
Selmst Weight
Belmet Color
Safety Relmct Impact Analysis
Safety Telnet Sect iveneny? dee sed Beck Lajury
Type of Lesicn
Siteey Jelnet sffecetvene:
Severity
Salaty elmer Rttecrivenese: Overall Sevnrisien
Gun ($8) and ead and eck Saverizivs Sam (S922
Safely Welaet Effectiveness! Head oad Neck L3jury
Ragie
Safecy Relnec Ettectiveneas: Weck Oaly 2ntury Sorority
Eeeece of Helse Coverage oa Nozoreyels Rider Mov!
Bevece ead Taney
Wrtcet of sleluel Coverage ou Wulurcyele Rider
vont Severs Face Injury
Efvece of clnst Coverage oa Hotoreyele Rider
Nost Sovara Mees Injury
Effeec of Ey2 Frolectian on Motorsycle Ader
Mose Severs Face injury
Fi fect of Rye Bentert fan om Mot necge’w Rider
ose Severe uye Injery,
Yotareycly Ader Meat Seovre Tajery, Somatic Begins
Ettece cr Upper Terso Garvenc on Heat Severe Upper
Turse. Lajury
Biber nf lareer Gorse Gireaeage na Fox Sweet
Tmaer Torna Tajury
Effect of Foot coverage oa Yow: Severe AakLesroot
jury
HEtect of Hand Procection on tloa? Severe “and Injury
16 and Heck Engury
