Posted on 07/15/2007 7:30:18 AM PDT by BraveMan
It's been a year since Jeffrey and Christine Konrath of Slinger died in a motorcycle crash in Dodge County.
Except for the fact that they weren't drinking, the Konraths could be the face of motorcycle fatalities today: older riders - he was 45, she was 48 - on a larger bike, killed on a rural road. And neither was wearing a helmet.
It's that last point that most frustrates Christine's daughter Angeline Schreiber. She has little tolerance these days for motorcyclists who forgo protective gear.
"I would never tell people not to ride bikes," said Schreiber, who is raising her 12-year-old half sister since her mother and stepfather were killed.
"I would just like people to think about safety precautions before they do it."
Jeffrey and Christine Konrath were among 93 motorcyclists who died on Wisconsin roads in 2006, up 79% from a decade ago. Over that same time, motorcycle fatalities have more than doubled nationwide.
Much of that can be attributed to the rising number of bikes on the road. In fact, in Wisconsin, the death rate dropped in 2005 to the lowest level since 1996, when factoring in the number of motorcycles registered, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The death rate nationally rose 30% during that period.
Riders and safety officials say they are troubled by the rising death toll and some of the trends they see reflected in the numbers.
"What stands out to me is the significant increase in those killed that are 45 and older," said Dennis Hughes, who as chief of safety programs for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is implementing new programs to target those riders.
Last year in Wisconsin, 43% of motorcyclists killed were 45 and older, up from around 10% in 1995 and under 2% in '91, according to the state.
"It's that baby boomer generation coming on board," said Hughes.
"Many of them had experience riding bikes. But they're going back to a bike that's a lot different from what they learned on. They're bigger, they're heavier and the maneuvering is a lot different."
Hughes' observations are reflected in the national data as well. Riders 40 and older made up nearly half of the fatalities in 2005, the latest year for which those numbers are available, according to NHTSA, up from 24% in 1995.
Among the other trends in Wisconsin and the nation:
• A growing number of fatalities involve larger bikes with more powerful engines (1,001 to 1,500 cubic centimeters).
• Alcohol consumption and failure to wear a helmet continue to be factors. In Wisconsin last year, 75% of those killed weren't wearing helmets and 47% had been drinking. Nationally in 2005, the latest year available, 35% had been drinking and 43% were not wearing a helmet.
• Of those killed, older riders were more likely than their younger counterparts to have been intoxicated and less likely - at least to age 60 - to wear a helmet. Younger riders were more apt to be speeding.
Brookfield motorcyclists Catherine and Peter Dhein, both in their 50s, aim to defy the statistics. He's taken the Harley Rider's Edge training course, and they always wear helmets, said Catherine, as they readied their Ultra Classic for an overnight trek from Milwaukee's House of Harley to western Wisconsin on Friday.
"We don't drink when we're riding, and we don't drive at night," she said.
Aside from the trends and the growing number of bikes on the road, it's difficult to explain the rising death toll. However, that could change in the coming years.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation in Irvine, Calif., said this month that it would commit $2.8 million to match federal funds set aside to conduct the first comprehensive study of motorcycle crash causes since the 1970s.
The findings could have long-term implications for riders, manufacturers and policy-makers.
"When that's done, we'll understand why this is happening and what we can do to reduce these numbers, said NHTSA spokesman Ray Tyson.
"We know, for example, that increased helmet use helps, that impaired riding is a factor," he said. "But we don't know what else, for example, things we could be doing to make motorcycles safer."
Wisconsin, in the meantime, has been expanding its rider education programs, adding classes to accommodate the growing demand and targeting some to older or returning riders.
In addition to the standard safety program available through technical schools around the state, the DOT offers a refresher course for returning riders and a new Seasoned Rider program that addresses the effects of aging - for example, declining vision and reaction time. And it is launching a pilot program in the Fox Valley that pairs new or returning riders with experienced mentors.
The state is looking to expand a program tested by a motorcycle coalition in Jefferson, Dane and Waukesha counties that lets riders lock up their bikes in secure storage crates at local bars if they are intoxicated, and federal officials are interested in rolling that out nationally.
In every program, regardless of the age or expertise of the rider, safety instructors stress two recurring themes: the importance of riding sober and proper equipment, most importantly a helmet, said Ron Thompson, who manages the motorcycle safety programs for the state.
"We tell people, if you don't wear it for yourselves, wear it for your family and friends - so you can ride again," Thompson said.
If you do indeed work in emergency medicine, how is it you don’t know (or are unwilling to admit) that people who die from traumatic head injuries are rarely, if ever, organ donors?
Furthermore, would you be willing to admit you see far more traumatic head injuries resulting from auto accidents than motorcycle accidents?
There’s a reason motorcycles are called, “donorcycles”.
In all reality, it might not be the biker’s fault but that of the car drives.
We stopped riding for the simple reason that the roads are getting more hostile and stupider.
Someone pulled out in front of my wife. She ONLY had three lights on the front of the bike. Her helmet was smashed when she went over the car and her leg was messed up but she recovered. A few weeks later, a Senile Citizen made a turn across the road in front of me. We had ridden since the late 1960's, but took these events as a "clue". Time to take our luck and cash out.
Another local syndrome is, "Mooooo! Gotta get the Kids to Soccer! What is YOUR life compared to THAT?...I'm BUSY!"
Yet another is turn off that GPS unit unless you are seriously in need of directions and then don't be looking at it while your moving.
Reason #1 = MORONS and ignorant fools need a catch phrase.
Yes, and its the same reason African-Americans are referred to by some as “Niggers”. To some people, epithets are fun.
Helmet helmet helmet....
No mention of cagers with cell phones, DVD players, cooing at their navigation computers, yadda yadda yadda.
One thing hasn't changed, though.
"But, officer, I didn't see him!"
I rode a motorcycle for over 20 years before having an accident. I was wearing full leathers, a full face helmet. While it did leave me a paraplegic, it did not leave me a traumatic brain injured paraplegic. So anytime I see or hear some anti-helmet idiot I feel like giving them the news. Don’t wear a helmet and you will certainly be more ****ed-up in your accident.
IMO the cell phone users are the most dangerous to bikers...I have had several close calls with those using cell phones and they were oblivious to my presence.
“Actually, I don’t ride and do think that it should be up to the rider.”
I do ride, and I think riding without a helmet is stupid. Nonetheless, I agree - leave it up to the rider to choose.
Keep you helmet laws off of my body!
Actually, I don’t ride and do think that it should be up to the rider.”
I feel the same way about my horses and riding. It is my choice. Since I wear bi-focals, the helmet straps cause my glasses to jostle, and I get nauseous in a matter of seconds. Riding and barfing needs to be an Olympic sport before I will willing do it.
I wonder even more what other factor is part of the higher use of motorcycles?
The price of gas being double of what it was 3 years ago?
Seems to me this analysis is missing a number of contributing factors.
How many of these accidents involved illegal intruders who did not belong here or have proper drivers licenses?????
I feel the same way about bikers. I've taught my soon-to-be-licensed 16 year old to GET OUT OF THE WAY if he sees or hears a motorcycle on the road. Five dingbats on crotchrockets doing wheelies on Veteran's Parkway were enough to convince him that I'm right. You never know when one of them is going to lose control and go down in front of you. It's easier to slow down to avoid bikers than to swerve around one who fell off.
Not everybody can afford a$40,000 hybrid.”
Not only the price, but the construction of these hybrids would keep me from owning one. I think they are rollerskates with an engine.
There are no old fools riding motorcycles. Motorcycles have a way of discriminating against fools,
We always have 2 or 3 fatalities on that one freeway alone every year.
As the driver of a car, I'd rather have you on something with 1700cc than 650cc. And the louder the better. I have a much better chance of noticing you in my blind spot if your bike is making lots of noise. I usually hear bikes overtaking me from behind long before I spot them in the mirrors.
And I have little tolerance for busybody buttinskys who think their personal tragedies give them the moral authority to rule my life. Sarah Brady comes to mind. And Cindy Sheehan. And now this meddler ...
My, my, touchy this morning, aren’t you?
Perhaps you would feel better if I used the term “crotch rocket” instead?
Motorcyclists are treated the same as everyone else in my ER. Its always a tragedy when someone is injured. However, you make certain choices in life that can be hazardous to your health. If that’s what you want to do, go right ahead. This is still (mostly) a free country.
My bike isn’t loud. You won’t have worry about noticing me in your blind spot, because I won’t be there. Having said that, it also helps if people actually turn their head and do a shoulder check before changing lanes. But I know that on my car, even doing a shoulder check tends to leave a blind spot on the left side of the car. Is it just me, or have the A and B pillars on new cars just gotten thicker and thicker?
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