New York State Highway Safety Strategic Plan FFY 2008

www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/whatsup/SAFETEAweb/FY08HSPs/NYFY08HSP.pdf 

 

[Motorcycle only]

 

Page 27:

Police Traffic Services:

In FFY 2008, Police Traffic Services program will be expanded to focus on five additional traffic concerns:

 

Motorcycle Safety:  In the past five years, the number of registered motorcycles in New York State has increased more than 25 percent and motorcycle license endorsements have increased more than ten percent.  The need for an effective motorcycle enforcement program has become more critical with the increased motorcycling population and the comparable increase in motorcycle crashes and fatalities.  While motorcycles should be included in the other STEP components, there are motorcycle-specific initiatives that need to be addressed including unlicensed/unendorsed operation and the use of noncompliant helmets. 

 

Pages 40- 47

Motorcycle Safety

 

Overview

Motorcycles provide a fuel efficient and economic means of transportation.  The popularity of motorcycling for recreation, touring and commuting continues to grow in New York.  There are many more motorcycles and motorcyclists on New York’s highways than in previous years.  Since 1996, the number of motorcycle registrations has increased by 77 percent; in 2006, the number of motorcycle registrations reached a new all-time high of 289,096.  With the large increases in the price of gas and steady motorcycle sales, this growth trend is expected to continue.

 

Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable motorists on the roadways, operating at the same speeds and on the same roads as other motorists, but without the same protection afforded by other types of motor vehicles.  Unsafe actions, such as impaired driving and operating at unsafe speeds, contribute to the involvement of motorcyclists in crashes.  Often, other motorists do not see motorcycles and fail to yield to this smaller vehicle.  Another concern is the danger posed by “extreme” motorcycles that can be driven at very high speeds.  In addition, the issue of unlicensed operators continues to be a concern.  For these reasons, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) has identified motorcycle safety as a priority for FFY 2008.

 

In 1997, New York undertook a major initiative to improve motorcycle safety by establishing a comprehensive, rider-funded safety program.  The legislated Motorcycle Safety Program (MSP) is intended to address driver inexperience and lack of training.  This program provides instruction and field training to improve the riding skills of motorcyclists.  The program, which is administered by the Motorcycle Association of New York State (MANYS), now offers rider education at 20 public training sites and nine military or police facilities around the state.  The program also includes a public information and education component aimed at heightening awareness of motorcycles among all motorists.  In addition, the GTSC continues its efforts to encourage motorists to be aware of the presence of motorcycles on the roadways.

 

Through MANSY, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider Course was delivered to 13,283 students in 2006.  Since 1996, 79,865 students have enrolled in the beginner rider training.  As an incentive, the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles waives the motorcycle skills test for licensed drivers who successfully complete the beginning rider course.  IN 2006, 96 percent of the students who sought a skills test waiver qualified for that benefit.

 

Starting with FFY 2006, grants to improve motorcyclist safety have been made available to the states under Section 2010 of SAFETEA-LU.  In 2006, New York qualified under Section 1350.4(f) –Use of fees collected from motorcyclists for motorcycle programs.  No change in that criterion has occurred.  To qualify for funding in FFY 2007, states had to meet two of the six grant criteria. In 2007, New York qualified by also meeting the criterion under Section 1350.4(a) – Motorcycle Rider Training Course; a brief overview of New York’s Motorcycle Safety Program is presented above.  The details pertaining to New York’s Section 2010 application qualifications are included in Appendix C, along with Section 2010 certifications.

 

The Section 2010 funds can be used to improve the motorcycle training curricula, the delivery of the training, the recruitment and retention of training instructors, or driver awareness of motorcyclists through PI&E.  New York has been using its FFY 2006 and 2007 funds to develop programs that will augment the MANYS program and to conduct conferences, workshops, seminars, and other outreach modes that enhance the coordination of programs and training.  These activities which primarily support the training providers and instructors will promote the hiring and retention of quality staff.  Where opportunities are presented, New York will attempt to expand the network of providers beyond the MANYS program to reach new geographic areas or supplement the availability in high demand locations.

 

In Spring 2003, New York conducted a statewide observational survey of helmet use by motorcycle operators and passengers.  A total of 765 observations were made.  Based on the results of the survey, a statewide motorcycle helmet usage rate of 98.4% was estimated, with a relative standard error of 0.65%.

 

The key results of analyses of motorcycle crash data are presented below:

 

Performance Goals and Measures

 

Long-term Performance Goals

 

Short-term Performance Goals

 

Performance Measures

 

Performance Objectives and Measures

 

Performance Objectives

 

Performance Measures

 

Strategies

 

Public Information and Education (PI&E)

 

Research and Evaluation

 

Research and evaluation efforts may be undertaken to identify trends and potential new problem areas and to assist in defining future program direction and potential countermeasures.

 

 

Fiscal Year 2008 HSSP

Proposed Program Strategy Funded Allocations

 

Motorcycle Safety

Public Information and Education (PI&E)

 

Research and Evaluation