DOT 19-07
Friday, February 16, 2007
Contact: Sarah Echols
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
Nation's Top Transportation Official Urges Manufacturers to Provide Free
or Discounted DOT Certified Helmets or Riderr Safety Training with the
Purchase of Every New Motorcycle
Saying “the time has come to make the helmet standard safety equipment,”
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters today called on
manufacturers to provide free or heavily discounted DOT certified helmets or
rider safety training with the purchase of every new motorcycle sold in the
United States.
“Helmets and proper training are just as important as brakes or headlights
when it comes to the well-being of motorcyclists,” Secretary Peters said.
”We shouldn't be letting any customer take a bike out of the store without a
helmet as part of the package. Safety shouldn't have to be an option when
purchasing a motorcycle.”
Secretary Peters said only 58 percent of riders wear helmets today, which is
down 13 percent from just four years ago. She added that manufacturers could
help reverse the trend by getting helmets into riders’ hands and training
them how to ride safely, noting that 700 motorcyclists would survive crashes
every year if they wore helmets.
During remarks to the Motorcycle Industry Council in Indianapolis, the
Secretary praised those manufacturers already providing free training for
riders. However, she said she was asking for help from manufacturers because
while motorcycles account for only two percent of the vehicles on the road,
they are involved in over 10 percent of all crashes. She added that
motorcycle fatalities have more than doubled in 10 years and now account for
over 4,500 highway deaths and 78,000 injuries each year. Even worse, the
crash rate among motorcyclists in the 50 plus age group has increased by
over 400 percent, she said.
The Secretary noted that the helmet she was wearing during her 2005
motorcycle crash likely prevented severe head injury. “I know from
first-hand experience how effective helmets can be,” she said.
Secretary Peters also said the Department of Transportation was “attacking”
the challenge of motorcycle safety on several fronts. Last September, the
Department awarded over $6 million in safety grants to states to support
motorcycle safety. In addition, the Federal Highway Administration has
established a Motorcycle Advisory Council to focus on making roads safer for
motorcyclists and will continue work begun by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration on a Motorcycle Crash Causation Study to identify why
motorcycle crashes occur and find ways to reduce the fatality and injury
rates.
NATIONAL COALITION OF MOTORCYCLISTS
From James D. “Doc” Reichenbach II
Chairman, NCOM Board of Directors
PO Box 712
Silver Springs, Florida 34489
(352) 625-6353
abatefl@worldnet.att.net
December 7, 2006
On November 30, 2006 I met in
Washington, D.C. with Vice-Chairman Robert Sumwalt of the National
Transportation Safety Board. We discussed the NTSB seminar held in
September of this year and the problems we had with the panel that presented
facts that we claim are flawed. I also discussed with him that no
motorcyclists were represented on the questioning side of the panel. No one
from any of the National organizations including the National Coalition
of Motorcyclists were given an opportunity to ask questions directly of
the panels. We were only allowed to
write questions on 3 x 5 cards and then the NTSB would decided which
questions to ask. False statements were made and the motorcyclists had no
recourse until I took proof of some of the errors to the NTSB. My
suggestion was that another seminar be held and the motorcyclists have their
voices heard in a fair and just format. He said he would take the idea up
with the board.
The vice-chairman and I went over all
the material I took with me including samples of ABATE of Florida’s
billboards and safety items. One of the many things that were discussed were
the difference between
states data and NHTSA and the Federal
Highway Administration’s data. In 2004 NHTSA had Florida helmetless death
rate at 56% however the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor
Vehicles had the
helmetless death rate at 46% for
2004. He agreed that there are many inconsistencies between the Federal
level and the State level and it needed to be looked into. He also
mentioned the Motorcycle Crash Causation Study that is being done.
The following is a statement to me
from the Vice-Chairman. “Motorcycle registration and vehicle miles traveled
provided by FHWA
has been criticized as being
inaccurate. For example, in spite of many indications that motorcycle use
has increased (increased sales, registrations, etc.) the Vehicle Miles
Traveled data reported by FHWA has remained approximately the same for the
past decade. I personally feel that having accurate activity data for
motorcycles is instrumental in terms of tracking accident and fatality
rates. The National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety (NAMS) study was completed
in 2000. This was done by Motorcycle Safety Foundation, NHTSA, and
other groups. There were 82 recommendations in NAMS but many have not
been enacted. Staff will review the report and consider whether it
is appropriate for the Safety Board to comment further.” There has been no
decision if there will be a letter going out, but as of right now he has
heard of no national helmet law being recommended and he does not support
one. The last item we discussed was that all motorcycle groups including
National groups need to band together to become an even more powerful force
for our cause. I believe that some of us
having been saying that for years,
maybe soon everyone will realize a house divided must fall.
When Mr. Sumwalt had his conformation
hearing in front of the senate committee, he was asked if he wore a helmet
when he rode and his answer was that yes he did however it should be a
personal choice to do so. A senator stated he didn’t like the answer Mr.
Sumwalt gave, Mr. Sumwalt stated that was his answer, and he was confirmed.
I found the Vice-Chairman to be very
dedicated and an honorable man who will do everything in his power to help
us get to the true facts and help us save lives.
Respectfully,
James D. “Doc” Reichenbach II
Chairman of the Board
