The University of Southern California conducted a detailed study on motorcycle accident cause factors and identified some countermeasures.  The study funded by the NHTSA covered some 900 motorcycle accidents in the Los Angeles area in its minutest detail and purveyed another 3,600 reports relating to motor cycle accidents in the Los Angeles area. While the report itself is voluminous, we discuss below some of the salient features of the report.

Major causes of motorcycle accident

While the report lists some 55 causes of motorcycle accidents, we have identified  some of the more common and frequent causes to bring them into focus for the use of motor cycle riders and other road users.

Slide out at curves

Excess speed and over braking while negotiating curves/corners contributed to some 2/3^rd s of the accidents studied. Notice that drizzles, oil spills, sand particles and water spills can further accentuate the risk while negotiating curves/corners.

Intersections

Intersections pose the biggest danger to motor cyclists with other vehicles often violating traffic signals and right of way to motorcycles.

Fuel spills/leaks

In 62% accidents, fuel spills or leaks were present in post-crash situations presenting a higher degree of fire hazard.

Visibility/conspicuity

The motor cycle not being spotted by the other vehicle has been cited among the most frequent causes for motor cycle accidents. Wearing red/orange/yellow jackets and keeping the headlamps on even during day light have been recommended to overcome this problem.

Drunken driving

Nearly 50% of motor cycle accidents resulting in loss of life involved motor cycle riders driving under the influence of alcohol.

Lack of formal training

92% of motor cycle riders involved in accidents never received formal training. They either learned themselves or were taught by others. Formal training can therefore substantially bring down the accident rate.

Casual or careless driving

Lack of attention to the task of driving has been cited as a major cause of motorcycle accidents

Precious little time to avoid a collision

Motorcycle riders often got under 2 seconds to complete every action in avoiding a collision.

Size, speed and alcohol

The size of the motorcycle, the speed and higher levels of alcohol in the blood stream of the driver are among major contributing factors in motor cycle accidents.

Helmets

Only 40% of the motorcycle riders involved in accidents wore helmets when the accident occurred.  Helmeted riders as well as passengers on the other hand suffered less severe head/neck injuries.  The study further adds that use of helmets did not contribute to any form of discomfort while driving or other issues that could potentially enhance the chances of an accident. 

Eye protection

73% of the motorcycle riders involved in the accidents subjected to the study did not have any eye protection.

Insurance

Insurance of any description to provide medical care and/or replacement of damaged property was available with less than 10% of motor cycle riders involved in the accidents studied.

Design modifications to helmets

The study group also suggested design modification to helmets to afford better protection to neck region at the back and more impact protection for helmets that cover the whole face.

The following are among the major counter measures identified by the study group

For drivers of other vehicles, particularly the larger vehicles like cars and trucks, motorcycles are not conspicuous enough to avoid collisions.  Other objects and vehicles also tend to fully or partially block the view of motor cycles. Choosing the right colors (whites in particular during night) and making the bike itself as conspicuous as possible can reduce the risk of accidents.

Experience, a sober mind, conspicuity, and mature attitude have been identified as the most effective accident prevention measures.