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TRANSCRIPT
MOTORCYCLE
A motorcycle is commonly defined as
any vehicle having a seat or saddle
for the use of the operator
designed to travel on at least
two, and not more than three, wheels
in contact with the ground, on public highways,
excluding farm tractors.
A RISE IN MOTORCYCLE RIDER
FATALITIES SINCE 2000
May be attributed to the following factors:
An increase in the number of
motorcyclists
More miles ridden per rider
Unlicensed operators
Returning operators (those who have
not ridden but have maintained a
motorcycle endorsement)
Declines in helmet use
Alcohol involvement
FARSNote Decrease over past two years
100 92
FARS
Texas
FARS 2010
MOTORCYCLE FATALITY FACTS
About twice as many motorcycle operators in fatal crashes do
not have a valid license compared to passenger car operators.
Per million vehicle miles traveled in 2009, motorcyclists were
about 26.5 times more likely to die in a crash and 5.3 times
more likely to be injured than passenger car occupants.
In 2009, 2,062 (46%) of all motorcycle operators involved in
fatal crashes collided with another motor vehicle in transport.
Motorcycle operators are more likely to be involved in fatal
collisions with fixed objects than any other vehicle operators.
NHTSA
MOTORCYCLING IN TEXAS
You must have a valid license to operate a motorcycle,
scooter, or moped on Texas roadways.
Operators must pass a written test covering traffic
laws pertaining to motorcycles, as well as a road test.
(The road test can be waived in certain
circumstances.)
Texas law requires that everyone must pass The
Course for Motorcycle Riders to qualify for a
motorcycle driver’s license.
In addition, minors 15 to 17 years of age must also
take a Drivers License road test.
The Course for Motorcycle Riders
Did you know that riders with training
crash less often and survive more often
(when they do crash) than untrained
riders?
And they fared better than riders that were
trained by a friend or relative.
Everyone (not just those under the age of
18) is required to take The Course for
Motorcycle Riders to qualify for a
motorcycle driver’s license.
The Basic RiderCourse
The Basic RiderCourse is for new or
inexperienced riders, and all riders
wanting to improve their skills and have
more fun riding. During The Course
you’ll learn how to gear up for safety
and you’ll practice maneuvering
strategies for getting out of dangerous
situations and avoiding them in the first
place.
The Experienced RiderCourse
Aimed at experienced motorcyclists, the
Experienced RiderCourse teams you with
other riders. Everyone brings their own
ride, gear, and experiences to class.
You’ll learn advanced techniques for
avoiding and surviving dangerous
conditions, including high-speed
maneuvering, traction control, and
emergency braking.
Sign up for The Course
To find a course near you:
• Call 1-800-292-5787, or
• Contact us at http://www.looklearnlive.org/contact/ use use
the form on the site, or
• Email DPS/MSU directly, or
• Search the list of course locations at
http://www.looklearnlive.org/learn/course-locations-browse-
the-list/ or
• visit the DPS Motorcycle /ATV Safety Training Unit Locations
at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/traininglocations.asp
A prereview of how to stay alive
Apply effective mental strategies
Be Visible
Dress for Safety
Do not Drink and Ride
Apply effective mental strategies:
Constantly search the road for
changing conditions. Use
MSF’s Search, Evaluate,
Execute strategy (SEE) to
increase time and space
safety margins.
Apply effective mental strategies:
Give yourself space and time to
respond to other motorists’
actions.
Give other motorists time and
space to respond to you.
Use lane positioning to be seen;
ride in the part of a lane where you
are most visible.
Watch for turning vehicles.
Apply effective mental strategies:
Signal your next move in advance.
Avoid weaving between lanes.
Pretend you’re invisible, and ride
extra defensively.
Don't ride when you are tired or
under the influence of alcohol or
other drugs.
Know and follow the rules of the
road, and stick to the speed limit.
Be Visible:
Remember that motorists often
have trouble seeing motorcycles
and reacting in time.
Make sure your headlight works
and is on day and night.
Use reflective strips or decals on
your clothing and on your
motorcycle.
Be aware of the blind spots cars
and trucks have.
Flash your brake light when you
are slowing down and before
stopping.
If a motorist doesn’t see you,
don’t be afraid to use your horn.
Dress for safety:
Wear a quality helmet and eye protection.
Wear bright clothing and a light-colored helmet.
Wear leather or other thick, protective clothing.
Choose long sleeves and pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves.
Remember – the only thing between you and the road is your protective gear.
looklearnlive.org
•Motorcyclists
who die in
crashes are 2.5
times more
likely to have
consumed
alcohol than
vehicle drivers.
•Motorcycle
operators
involved in fatal
crashes have
higher
intoxication
rates than any
other type of
motor vehicle
driver.
•38% of riders killed in fatal crashes were
legally intoxicated.
•46% of all riders killed in fatal crashes
had some level of alcohol in their blood.
•41% of motorcyclists killed in single
vehicle crashes were legally intoxicated.
•Alcohol involved crashes are
preventable. Don’t Drink and Ride
You increase your chances of dying in a crash by
400% with a blood alcohol content (BAC) above
the legal limit. Most alcohol-related motorcycle
crashes happen at night between the hours of
12 and 3 a.m., after the bars close and the
parties end. The majority are single-vehicle
crashes as the impaired rider runs off the
roadway and crashes into a tree or some other
roadside hazard. Most involve males between
the ages of 25 and 49.
looklearnlive.org
The Biker's Responsibility Initiative
http://www.looklearnlive.org/bri/
This includes committing to these points:
• I Ride Responsibly – Properly licensed and insured and obeying all traffic laws;
• I Ride Sober – Never under the influence of alcohol or other drugs;
• I Ride Smart – Always learning, always striving to become a better, more skillful rider;
• I Ride Safe – Keeping my bike properly maintained, wearing protective gear, and always riding within my limits, the limits of my bike and the limits of the riding environment at hand.
Go to the following web-site to print and sign Pledge:
TEXAS Organizations
http://www.tmra.org/ http://www.tsba.org/
Texas Motorcycle Roadriders Association
Texas Sport Bike Association
http://www.looklearnlive.org/texas-
motorcycle-safety-coalition/
Ride Safe In Texas
a project of the
Texas Confederation of Clubs and Independents
to place signs in communities across Texas
find out more at this web-site:
http://ridesafeintexas.homestead.com/
FOR ADDITIONAL MOTORCYCLE
SAFETY INFORMATION
http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/Motorcycles
http://www.txdot.gov/safety/tips/moto_campaign.htm
http://www.looklearnlive.org/
View videos of the presentations from the Texas
Motorcycle Safety Forum 2011 at
http://www.youtube.com/user/looklearnlive?feature=watch
Call Safe Communities at 825 2551 or e-mail at
4/2012 edition