The Washington Motorcycle Rider Safety Task Force, formed in January of 2006 by Governor Chris Gregoire, has released their report and recommendations to reduce motorcycle fatalities in Washington state.

The task force included members of motorcycle rider groups and state agency representatives, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Health.

The task force identified the following trends in motorcycle fatalities in Washington:

• Most fatalities occur during daylight hours in dry weather.
• More than 80% of fatalities occur between April and September
• Half of all fatal motorcycle crashes were single vehicle crashes. When alcohol is a factor, two-thirds of fatal crashes are single vehicle crashes.
• The most common contributing factors to motorcycle fatalities are lane error, speeding, alcohol and inattention.
• One-third of fatalities were motorcyclists who did not have a valid motorcycle endorsement.

Based on these findings the task force concluded that the most important factors are within the control of the rider and that, therefore, efforts should focus on rider skill and behavior.

Among the recommendations are:

• Washington needs to increase the availability of rider training courses and move to a training model similar to that used in Oregon.
• A major education and public awareness campaign should be mounted to counteract motorcycle and automobile driver behavior that contributes to fatal crashes.
• Impounding the motorcycle of riders found to be riding under the influence or do not have a proper or current motorcycle endorsement.
• DoL should discourage dealers from allowing unendorsed motorcycle purchasers to ride a newly purchased motorcycle from their lot.
• A current motorcycle endorsement should be required to renew a motorcycle registration.
• Motorcycle groups should encourage proper endorsement for participation in organized riding events.

The complete report, with lots more detail, is available at: http://www.dol.wa.gov