California Motorcycle Accident Fatalities Dip in First Half of 2009
Many California motorcycle accident lawyers have expressed their concern over the high rates of motorcycle accident fatalities in the state and across the country. Finally, comes some good news.
California has seen a decline in the number of motorcycle crash fatalities in the first half of this year. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, preliminary data shows that between January and June 2009, motorcycle accident-related deaths dropped to 198 from 264 during the same period in 2008. The Office of Traffic Safety based its data on preliminary figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which does not break down fatality numbers by county. Motorcycle accident deaths have been a serious matter of concern not just to California motorcycle accident attorneys , but also to highway safety groups, law enforcement agencies and motorcyclists. While fatality rates in other types of accidents have been declining over the past few years, motorcycle-related fatalities have been increasing steadily. The last year the fatality rates dipped significantly was 1998, when there were 204 fatalities. Since that year, rates have risen steadily every year, very often increasing by double digit percentage increases. While the total number of highway deaths dropped 21 percent over the past 3 years, motorcycle accident fatalities during the same period of time, actually increased by 19 percent. In 1998, 234 people died in motorcycle accidents in California. That number had increased to 549 in 2008. That was an increase of 169 percent over a period of 10 years. According to Office of Traffic Safety officials, there are several reasons why we are seeing lower motorcycle fatality rates this year. There has been a greater emphasis on proper training for motorcyclists before they set off on the road. Earlier, motorcyclists simply purchased a bike and began to ride, in many cases, after many years off a bike. These days, it’s easy for a motorcyclist to find a good local training program. Beginner riders are encouraged to save on insurance costs and avoid a riding test to obtain a motorcycle license, by taking a state-approved training program. According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, in 2008 more than 70,000 people attended a motorcycle safety class. Over the past 5 years, there has been a steady increase in the number of riders in California attending these motorcycle safety classes. Motorcyclists who ride as part of groups also seem to follow safety precautions much better than riders who ride alone. In fact, motorcycling groups recommend that you ride with a partner as much as possible. Besides motorcycle training courses, there has also been an added focus on awareness among motorists. Many accidents occur because motorists simply don’t look out for motorcyclists. Awareness programs by the CHP have contributed to a greater awareness among the motoring public, thus helping bring down accident rates. It’s obviously too early to celebrate, and we still have a long way to go before we can feel pride in this accomplishment, but there’s reason to be optimistic that those dreaded rates are finally dropping. The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of motorcycle accidents . Please visit our website at trlglaw.com . If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us . The Reeves Law Group is not acting as legal counsel for any party in the matters discussed in this posting.
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California Motorcycle Accident Fatalities Dip in First Half of 2009