Motorcycle Safety Public Information Program               OREGON

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
   Although motorcycles made up just 2.2 percent of all
   registered vehicles in the State of Oregon in 1992, they were
   involved in 5.2 percent of all fatal traffic crashes; and
   nearly one-half of the victims of these crashes tested
   positive for either alcohol, other drugs or both.  Another 45
   percent of fatal motorcycle crashes involved nonendorsed or
   improperly licensed riders.  One-half of these fatal crash
   victims have some alcohol or drug involvement.  Moreover,
   although crashes are often caused by drivers of other types of
   vehicles who are not careful of cyclists, most such crashes
   involve riders who have not been trained to properly operate
   the bike. 

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
   The TEAM OREGON Motorcycle Safety Program is a public
   education effort designed to reduce the rate injury and death
   resulting from motorcycle crashes.  The program fosters and
   promotes awareness and safe operation of motorcycles among the
   driving public.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
   The program brought together representatives from the Traffic
   Safety Division, TEAM OREGON Motorcycle Training Program, the
   Governor's Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee and motorcycle
   dealerships to design a comprehensive public information
   campaign.  In addition, advertising time and space were
   donated by television and radio stations, newspapers and
   transit and billboard companies.

   The information program for 1991 and 1992 included the
   following themes:  drinking and riding, the "unrider," sharing
   the road and course promotion.  Public information materials
   were developed to address these problems and how they
   contribute to or can prevent motorcycle crashes.  A
   combination of radio public service announcements 
   (PSAs), print advertisements, transit advertisements,
   brochures and posters were used.
   
   The specific materials and themes used in 1991 and 1992 were
   as follows:

   Drinking rider.  The radio PSA "Think Fast" sought to convey
   the message that even with small amounts of alcohol, reaction
   times are slowed.  "After a Few Beers, They Go Down Easy" was
   the theme used on posters and transit billboards to
   communicate the dangers of drinking and operating a
   motorcycle.  Ten thousand posters were distributed to schools,
   Motor Vehicle Division offices, motorcycle dealerships,
   insurance agencies, health care facilities and police
   departments.

   The "Unrider."  This campaign targeted unlicensed
   motorcyclists.  The print ad for it included statistics on the
   high percentage of riders involved in fatal crashes that are
   nonendorsed.  The message was also included in motor vehicle
   registration mailings from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

   Sharing the road.  Billboards and transit advertisements with
   the theme "Equal RightsShare the Road" were posted statewide. 
   A radio PSA, "Jungle," illustrating the need to share the road
   with all vehicles was distributed to Oregon radio stations.

   Course promotion.  Materials with the theme, "Young Riders
   Have Something to Prove," were released to individuals to
   inform them that all persons under the age of 19 applying for
   a motorcycle endorsement must pass a TEAM OREGON rider
   education course.

RESULTS
   Data show that fatal accidents involving motorcycles were at a
   20-year low in 1989; fatal and injury crashes involving
   motorcycles comprised 2.71 percent of all vehicle crashes,
   down from an average 5.41 percent for the previous 5 years.  A
   survey conducted in 1993 revealed that 92 percent of those
   surveyed "strongly agree" that automobile drivers should treat
   motorcycle riders with the same rights as other vehicles on
   the road.




Motorcycle Rider Education Program                    CONNECTICUT

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
   Motorcycle crashes remain a serious problem in Connecticut. 
   Analysis of state crash data reveals that Connecticut
   motorcyclists' injuries and fatalities are highly
   overrepresented in relation to the number of motorcycle
   registrations.  They are also overrepresented when compared
   with similar statistics for all motor vehicles.     

   Further analysis reveals that although the number of
   motorcycle crashes each year is a small part of the total
   number of vehicle crashes (3 percent annual average), the
   chance of injury for motorcyclists is much higher than for
   other drivers.  Approximately 83 percent of all motorcycle
   crashes involve injury, whereas about 30 percent of all motor
   vehicle crashes do so.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
   The Motorcycle Rider Education Program seeks to address the
   human element of operator error by training motorcyclists
   through the Connecticut Rider Education Program (CONREP). 
   Operator error was a contributing factor to approximately 90
   percent of all crashes involving motorcycles.

   Over the next 2 years, the number of riders expected to be
   trained is approximately 1,600 in 1994, and 1,700 in 1995
   (1,500 were trained in 1993).  

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
   The Connecticut Department of Transportation offers CONREP at
   community colleges across the state.  The course for novice
   riders includes seven hours of classroom time and 11 hours of
   practical training on the motorcycle, covering a full range of
   skills.  Students learn how to use controls, turn the cycle
   safely, brake and maneuver under a variety of conditions. 
   More experienced students receive eight hours of training that
   builds on the foundation of basic safety skills.  The courses,
   developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, conclude with a 
   skills and knowledge test.

   Printed materials about safe motorcycle operations are
   distributed at training sites, Department of Motor Vehicles
   public rooms and cycle dealerships throughout the state.

   Connecticut is working with the National Association of State
   Motorcycle Safety Administrators to help New Hampshire,
   Massachusetts and Vermont establish new and improve existing
   rider education programs.
     
RESULTS
   Since the start of the program in 1989, a steady decline has
   occurred in the number of motorcycle crash fatalities as the
   number of motorcyclists trained has increased:


   Year      # of Motorcyclists Trained         Fatalities
   1989           1,002                      53
   1990           1,170                      50 
   1991           1,292                      28
   1992           1,551                      36

In 1993, 166 courses were completed by 2,093 students.




Motorcycle Rider Education Program                       COLORADO

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
   Approximately 80 percent of all motorcycle crashes result in
   serious injury or fatalities, and many of these crashes occur
   because of the motorcyclists' lack of knowledge or inadequate
   skills to safely operate a motorcycle.   Rider training
   courses are offered in Colorado cities through the Motorcycle
   Operator Safety Training (MOST) program but this training is
   not easily accessible by some residing in rural areas of the
   state.
   
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
   In response, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Office
   of Transportation Safety established a mobile rider education
   program with the primary goals of:

       Training motorcyclists who reside in rural areas

       Assisting the newly created MOST state program

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
   The mobile unit was developed through the Continuing Education
   Department of Front Range Community College, Larimer Campus in
   Fort Collins, Colorado.  The Colorado Office of Transportation
   Safety and the MOST program worked closely with the college in
   developing the program to ensure that the mobile unit would
   become an integral part of the state program.  Both the Basic
   Rider Course for beginners and an Experienced Rider Course are
   offered by the mobile unit.   Classes are taught on weekends
   in order to accommodate the greatest number of students.

RESULTS
   Twelve Colorado cities and four motorcycle events have hosted
   the mobile unit for classes.  Over 200 motorcyclists have
   completed training using the mobile unit.  

   In addition to educating motorcyclists, the mobile unit has
   been used as a promotional tool for safety courses at existing 
   sites and has been instrumental in establishing a new fixed site 
   in Grand Junction, Colorado.  

   The mobile unit is now self-sufficient under the college and
   the state-funded MOST program.



Motorcycle Safety Program                                NEBRASKA

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
   From 1990 to 1992, motorcycles represented 1.3 percent of all
   registered vehicles in Nebraska.  However, motorcycles were
   involved in 4.4 percent of fatal crashes, 1.8 percent of
   injury crashes, and 6.4 percent of the Class A, or
   incapacitating, injury crashes.  Considering that the
   motorcycle-riding season in Nebraska is approximately 7 months
   long, motorcycles are involved in a large portion of the
   state's fatal and Class A injury crashes.

   A nationwide study has shown that motorcyclists involved in
   crashes essentially lack training; 92 percent are self-taught
   or have learned to ride from family or friends.  Since 1981,
   Nebraska has had a state-funded motorcycle training program.
   However, training activities need to be expanded to reach more
   motorcyclists.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
   The purpose of the Nebraska Motorcycle Safety Program (NMSP)
   is to provide standardized motorcycle training courses. The
   courses include classroom and on-cycle instruction, that
   covers straight-line riding, maximum braking techniques,
   turning, swerving and street-riding skills.  Risk awareness,
   acceptance and management are also incorporated into the
   training courses to enhance defensive riding skills.  The NMSP
   also trains qualified motorcycle instructors to teach the
   training courses.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
   The NMSP provides both a beginning and an advanced training
   course. Five training sites  are located across the state. 
   All NMSP instructors are provided with extensive training, are
   certified by the state, and are provided updated training
   annually. All graduates of the motorcycle training course are
   exempt from taking the motorcycle licensing test and are
   eligible for a two-point credit on their driving record.

   Of the training sites, the two that are located in Nebraska's two 
   metropolitan areas provide training for 92 percent of the course 
   participants.  The demographics of Nebraska make it difficult to 
   fill courses in the western part of Nebraska. 

   Information regarding the training program was disseminated through
   the efforts of a variety of   sources.  Motorcycle dealerships
   provided their customers with course information, as did 
   motorcycle clubs and organizations.  Law enforcement agencies
   distributed public information regarding the available training and
   television and radio stations aired public service announcements
   about the courses.  Brochures outlining the motorcycle training
   course were also sent by direct mail to all registered
   motorcyclists in targeted counties.   
     
RESULTS
   From 1990 to 1992,  motorcycle training rates continued at 1.5
   percent of the motorcycling population.  This percentage has
   remained constant while motorcycle registrations statewide have
   decreased by 13 percent from 1990 through 1992.  

   From 1988 to 1990, motorcycles were involved in 5.3 percent of
   fatal crashes, 3.6 percent of the injury crashes and 9.4 percent of
   the Class A crashes.  From 1990 to 1992, motorcycles were involved
   in 4.4 percent of fatal crashes, 1.8 percent of the injury crashes
   and 6.4 percent of the Class A crashes.