GHSA Motorcycle Accident Fatality Report Has Disappointing Results for Georgia
Georgia had 112 motorcycle accident fatalities during the first nine months of 2009. That figure had dropped to 98 fatalities during the first nine months of 2010. A small drop like this may not mean much, especially since the sharpest declines were noted during the first few months of the year, when Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers noted fewer motorcycles on the streets.
The Governors’ Highway Safety Association has released projected estimates for motorcycle accident fatalities last year, and predicts that there will be 4,376 motorcycle accident fatalities in 2010. That is a 2.4% decline from last year, and the agency is warning that motorcycle crash fatalities over the next couple of years could actually increase unless both the federal and state administrations begin taking stronger steps to prevent such accidents.
There is more that could be done to save lives in motorcycle accidents every year. For instance, enforcing stronger helmet laws for motorcyclists would help. The Governors’ Highway Safety Association report is also drawing attention to an unwelcome trend-helmet use of the country is actually down by 15%. In Georgia, we could also invest in awareness among motorists about avoiding collisions with motorcycles.
Antilock braking systems have also been recommended to reduce the risk of fatalities in motorcycle accidents. These are available on certain models, and last week, BMW announced that all of its motorcycles will now come with antilock braking systems. The federal administration could at least promote the use of motorcycles with antilock braking systems in order to reduce fatalities.
