Citation

Lambert J. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2002; 6(2): 121-126.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Gains in light vehicle related road safety have been achieved through occupant protection, pedestrian friendly vehicle front design, and effective enforcement. But there have been few gains in motorcycle safety. As a result the relative rate of motorcycle fatalities per unit of travel has increased from around 13 times higher to 30 times higher than for other vehicle "occupants" over the past 20 years. Research suggests a rider has a greater than 60 percent chance of being killed if they hit an object at 60 kilometres per hour, and 95 percent at 80 kilometres per hour. Around one in three motorcycle crashes involve unregistered motorcycles, unlicensed riders or both. Based on the above, gains in motorcycle safety would be best achieved through speed limiting them to say 110 kilometres per hour and requiring full size front and rear number plates as an aid to enforcement.