Iowa Department of Transportation

May 1 , 2007

Contact:
Toni Kerkove
319-235-8032
toni.kerkove@dot.iowa.gov

Stay Alert, Stay Alive

Ames, Iowa – May 1, 2007 - As temperatures around the state heat up, so will the number of motorcycles on Iowa roads. Since the month of May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is advising motorists and motorcyclists to safely share the road. Stay Alert, Stay Alive is the message this year’s campaign is hoping motorists and motorcyclists will keep in mind as they take to the open road.

Across the country there has been an increase in motorcycle riding. Unfortunately, that increase has been accompanied by a growing number of motorcycle-related fatalities. In the past five years, Iowa motorcycle fatalities have nearly doubled, while other vehicle fatalities have declined.

Iowa motorcycle crash facts:

Motorcyclists are six times more likely to be injured than other motorists involved in crashes - based on miles driven.

On average, more than 46 motorcyclists die from crashes each year in Iowa, based on data from the last five years. In 2006, there were 56 motorcycle fatalities in the state and five so far this year, which doesn’t bode well considering motorcycle traffic volume is lower this time of the year.

90 percent of motorcycle fatality victims were not wearing a safety helmet.

Among riders age 45-54, overall crashes have increased 71 percent and injuries increased 182 percent between 2001 and 2005. In 2006, there was a 185.7 percent increase in the number of fatalities compared to 2001.

Less than 50 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle…in most crashes motorcyclists are simply going too fast and fail to control the motorcycle.

In fatal crashes where there were two or more vehicles involved, motorcyclists had contributing factors 64.3 percent of the time, while other motorists had contributing factors 39 percent of the time.

In crashes where the motorist was found responsible (rather than the motorcyclist), the most common cause of the crash was the motorist not seeing the motorcyclist.

Ames resident, Carol Houge, has 37 years of experience riding a motorcycle, and knows how important it is to receive proper training and use good judgment.

"I think it’s extremely important for motorcycle riders to be properly trained and constantly watching their surroundings. While motorists have an obligation to watch for and respect motorcycles, the motorcycle rider has just as much responsibility to be watching the other motorists. I definitely encourage people to take a rider safety class. However, just because a person takes a motorcycle safety class and passes the test does not automatically make them a good rider. It takes hours of riding and use of good common sense," said Houge.

To obtain a copy of the Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual, go to a driver's license issuance site; contact the Office of Driver Services, Park Fair Mall, 100 Euclid Ave., P.O. Box 9204, Des Moines, IA 50306-9204, telephone toll free in Iowa 800-532-1121, local Des Moines 515-237-3153, fax 515-239-1837, E-mail ods@dot.iowa.gov; or go to www.iowamre.com.

News Release