PROGRAMS

Motorcycle Safety

Overview

Motorcycle riders are the only Washington road users whose fatality numbers continue to trend upward.  During the Summer of 2008, the Speeding Program was tasked with reducing the number of motorcycle rider fatalities.  Over half the fatal and serious injury collisions of motorcycle riders on Washington roads occur in Pierce, King or Snohomish County.  Half of the riders killed are over 40 years old.  Similar to drivers involved in other road fatalities, the top two motorcycle rider errors that cause fatal or serious injury crashes are speeding and/or impaired riding.

Motorcycle Rally Pilot Projects

Because of the large number of riders who assemble in one location for rallies, two motorcycle rallies were targeted for enforcement in the summer of federal fiscal year 2008.  Grays Harbor County law enforcement monitored the riders – and car drivers - attending the Sun N Surf Rally in Ocean Shores in July.  Riders and drivers attending the Oyster Run in late September in Anacortes were patroled by the law enforcement in Skagit, Island, Whatcom and Snohomish Counties.  There were two goals of these enforcement efforts:  first, to be sure that car drivers used caution around motorcycles; and, second, to re-enforce that motorcycle riders ride safely.  The innovations taken by law enforcement were highly successful.  Only one rider fatality related to a rally was recorded in Whatcom County.   

The pilot project combined earned media, rack cards, and the use of variable messaging signs to notify drivers and riders of the reasons for extra enforcement activity.  Overtime funding was available for participating law enforcement agencies.  The enforcement plans were designed by the local agencies.

Motorcycle Strategy Group

In November 2008, WTSC convened a multi-agency group to create a comprehensive plan for reducing the number of motorcycle fatal and serious injury crashes by pooling the limited resources available.  Data tracking developed by the WSDOT, the State Patrol, and the WTSC FARS unit helped identify areas as well as the days of the week and times of day when crashes are most likely to occur.  As most fatalities occur daylight hours during the summer months, June through September, extra enforcement efforts will likely take place then.   The Group is in the process of developing plans to reduce the number of rider deaths in 2009.  As these projects are just in the planning stages, no evaluation results are yet available.

Media

WTSC is currently working with the Washington State Patrol to provide a brochure for motorcycle riders that outlines state laws specific to riding.  Posters are also being developed.  These items will be available shortly through our Department of Printing fulfillment contract (see Resources, above).  The Department of Licensing has a web site specifically for riders that provides information about obtaining a motorcycle endorsement to your drivers license and that also provides locations and dates of training classes.  www.endorseyoursport.com  Information specific to law enforcement is also being developed.

Motorcycle Helmet Law

During the 2009 legislative session, the motorcycle helmet law was changed to require helmets to meet federal standards. Federal standards require that each helmet be labeled permanently and legibly so that the label can be read easily. The helmet label shall contain the symbol "DOT" which is the manufacturer's certification that the helmet conforms to applicable federal safety standards. The DOT symbol shall appear on the outer surface of the helmet in a color that contrasts with the background in letters at least 3/8 inch high.

Information about motorcycle helmet padding, positioning and impact tests are also described in detail in the Federal Motorcycle Helmet Standards.

NHTSA Helmet Test Data

Resource Information

This information can be downloaded for websites or presentations, or can be used as a master file to print your own materials.

Motorcycle Safety Poster

Motorcycle Safety Rack Card

Motorcycle Fact Sheet

Contact Information

News Releases

Washington traffic collision data, including motorcycle crashes and fatal statistics, is available under the Research and Data section of this website.

Watch traffic safety educational videos and ads on YouTube. Visit www.youtube.com/trafficsafety