| The United States remain largely popular as a country | | | | - Driving under the influence of alcohol or DUI cases |
| of cars. No one person can ever go a few miles | | | | - Only minimal cases involve accidents due to bad |
| without his or her trusted car. However, because of | | | | weather, road defects and animal involvement |
| the gasoline prices plus the fun of riding through the | | | | - Most cases also involve speeding |
| open road, motorcycles have steadily gained | | | | Injuries acquired from motorcycle - related accidents |
| popularity. | | | | are usually covered by private health insurance |
| Motorcycles zooming along the road are now among | | | | coverage, which benefits only a little more than half |
| the common sights in any United States highway. | | | | of crash victims. The government actually covers |
| Last 2004, sales of new motorcycles have gone | | | | most of the medical costs in such cases. Other |
| beyond one million dollars. This figure increased higher | | | | victims get to be covered by the Medicaid program |
| by the summer of 2005 and yet gained another high | | | | or some other government program. Like car |
| by the year of 2006 especially since fuel prices have | | | | accident victims, motorcycle accident victims also |
| reached their all time high prices. | | | | face loss of work and loss of wage for work missed |
| State laws all over United States have the same | | | | during hospitalization or due to the permanent |
| definition of the motorcycle. Accordingly, motorcycle | | | | disability after the accident. This finally results to |
| as a motor vehicle with a seat or saddle for the rider | | | | decreased quality of life. |
| and have no more than three wheels. In some | | | | These serious implications of motorcycle-related |
| states, though, they have included the mopeds, while | | | | accidents lead to the promulgation of the 2006 |
| others do not. | | | | Motorcycle Safety Program Plan by the National |
| Terrain vehicles or motorized bikes, which are | | | | Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As |
| off-the-road vehicles, are not included in the definition | | | | an upgrade of their 2003 Plan, the 2006 Plan have |
| of the motorcycle. Thus, there are different laws and | | | | the recommendations for implementation by state |
| regulations for these vehicles. Having significant | | | | and local governments as preventive measures |
| knowledge of the state laws governing the vehicle | | | | against motorcycle related accidents. |
| you aim to drive is important. | | | | - increase access of riders to rider education |
| Due to the high-speed capability of motorcycles, and | | | | programs |
| the minimal protection it gives its occupant, it became | | | | - increase the number of properly licensed |
| known as the most dangerous vehicle ever to grace | | | | motorcyclists |
| the highway. According to studies, motorcycles | | | | - reduce the cases of motorcyclists riding while sill |
| topped all other vehicles for crash cost per person | | | | impaired |
| per mile. Fatalities caused by motorcycle-related | | | | - increase visibility of motorcyclists in roads, especially |
| accidents in the highways and streets increased by | | | | highways |
| more than 40 percent since 1997. Consequently, | | | | - increase the use of helmet as ultimate protective |
| there is also a rise on the number of injuries acquired | | | | gear |
| from such accidents. | | | | - Increase the awareness of other motorists' on the |
| Collected data on motorcycle-related accidents have | | | | presence of motorcyclists alongside them in highway |
| the following findings: | | | | roads. |
| - there are very rare cases of vehicle defects | | | | Aside from helmets, as protective gear, motorcyclists |
| - most victims of such accidents are male, between | | | | must also wear proper reflective clothing, complete |
| the ages of 15 and 24 | | | | with gloves, boots, long pants and a long sleeved |
| - Three fourths of the accident cases implicate | | | | jacket. There must also be adequate eye and face |
| collision with another vehicle, and most of these are | | | | protection for the motorcycle riders. |
| passenger automobiles. While one fourth involves the | | | | Furthermore, as an added safety net if ever |
| collision of the motorcycle with some other object, a | | | | accidents happen, all of the states, except for |
| single vehicle accident. | | | | Washington required motorcycle riders to avail of |
| - These collision accidents are mostly due to lack of | | | | minimal comprehensive insurance coverage, at the |
| attention on the part of the rider and a notable lack | | | | very least. Moreover, other states have certain laws |
| of training | | | | that require a motorcycle owner and driver to |
| - Many motorcyclists have no license or have | | | | manifest financial responsibility. |
| revoked license. | | | | |