FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2006
CONTACT: Sgt. R.K. Hughes, 803-896-8164
SCDPS RELEASES TREND SHOWING MALES OVER 35 LEADING MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES
COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety released facts today regarding an upsurge in motorcycle fatalities that shows males over 35 to be the emerging “profile” of motorcycle deaths. The average age of a motorcycle fatality victim during the time period studied was 41 years old.
This trend in motorcycle fatalities is the opposite of other motor vehicle collision deaths. The younger, 18-34 year old male is typically the demographic that is overrepresented in fatal collisions.
SCDPS held five news conferences today planned to coincide with this week’s HOG rally in Columbia and the Fall Rally in Myrtle Beach.
“Our goal here is not to put a damper on anyone’s fun or personal freedom but to educate this segment of our population about the unnecessary risks they are facing,” said Highway Patrol Colonel Russell F. Roark. “Inexperience is the key factor contributing to most of our single-vehicle motorcycle deaths.”
After observing a steady up tick in fatality numbers – especially over the past year -- SCDPS formed a task force to look at the facts behind each Highway Patrol-investigated motorcycle fatality in 2005 and the first half of 2006. The committee analyzed motorcycle fatalities from January 2005 until June 2006.
There were 156 total motorcycle fatalities during that period. The Highway Patrol studied 114 fatality packets that were complete and were Highway Patrol investigated collisions. **SCHP does not have access to all of the fatality information from other investigating agencies.
The same pattern emerged again and again: middle-aged male; driving too fast for conditions; shown as contributing to the collision and not wearing a helmet.
Troop Three, the Upstate area, led the state in the number of fatal motorcycle-involved collisions. Motorcycle fatalities in the Lowcountry – Troop Six – varied from the statewide averages, with younger males more likely to die on sport motorcycles.
This statewide trend in fatal collisions follows a consumer trend as well – baby boomers and those over 35 purchasing high-end, luxury cruiser motorcycles but failing in many cases to obtain the necessary training or licensing to ride such a motorcycle. Between 1990 and 2003, motorcycle ownership rates among baby boomers increased 44 percent nationwide, versus only 6 percent with non-baby boomers. Middle age consumers, are responsible for the fast growing segment of motorcycle registrations.
In South Carolina, motorcycle registrations have risen in recent years from 56,000 in 2001 to 85,000 in 2005. Motorcycle fatalities have increased as well -- jumping from 75 in 2001 to 94 in 2005; 2006 is on pace to finish as a record year as well with 84 so far this year.
A Motorcycle Safety Task Force has been spearheaded by SCDPS and met for the first time this week. The goal is to bring together law enforcement, motorcycle enthusiasts, safety advocates and the SC Department of Motor Vehicles to work as a unit to find ways to increase training opportunities and educate this demographic to prevent such losses.
SCDPS wants to emphasize, however, that motorists need to be more aware of motorcycles on the roadway. In two-vehicle collisions involving motorcycles, the motorists are more likely to be at fault. Failure to yield is one of the leading reasons motorcyclists die. It can be difficult to spot a motorcycle in traffic or judge their speed.
Nationwide, motorcycle fatalities rose 13 percent from 4,028 in 2004 to 4,553 in 2005; almost half of the people who died were not wearing a helmet. South Carolina had a 10 percent increase during that time.