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