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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation
OFFICE OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE TURNER-FAIRBANK HIGHWAY RESEARCH CENTER

Motorcycle Crash Causation Study

Key Facts


The MCCS is the most comprehensive data collection effort to investigate the causes, rider demographics, and opportunities for countermeasure development in the United States in more than 30 years. The data collection and documentation are complete, and the data set is derived from both actual motorcycle crashes and riders with similar risk characteristics; data focuses on the unique circumstances that caused motorcycle crashes. This dataset will offer unmatched perspective into the role of crash-causation factors that are specific to motorcycles and will be used to develop effective countermeasures, craft future safety standards, and reduce the risk of fatalities and injuries for motorcycle riders across the United States.

"The image shows a control stop investigator standing in a parking lot next to a parked motorcycle. He is holding a checklist and performing an inspection of a motorcycle belonging to a control participant."
Figure 1. An investigator examines a motorcycle

Background

In 2009, there were 4,462 motorcycle crash-related fatalities in the United States—more than twice the number of motorcycle rider fatalities that occurred in 1997. This increase contrasts with a 27-percent reduction in the number of fatalities in passenger cars and light trucks. In response to this growing concern, the U.S. Congress passed legislation to fund an FHWA research effort into the causes of motorcycle crashes in the United States.

"The image shows a graph indicating the number of traffic and motorcycle fatalities in the United States from 1997 to 2014. The graph has a common x-axis titled Year. The years start at 1996 and increase by two years, ending at 2014. The y-axis on the left represents the number of motorcycle fatalities. The numbers start at zero and increase by 1,000, ending at 6,000. The number of motorcycle fatalities is represented by a thick, red line. The dashed line is shown going up from 1997 to 2007, from about 2,100 to 5,300 respectively, then down from 2008 to 2009, from 5,300 to 4,400 respectively, then up slightly from 2009 to 2011 from about 4,400 to 4,500 respectively. The y-axis on the right represents all traffic fatalities. The numbers start at zero and increase by 10,000, ending at 60,000. The number of overall traffic fatalities is represented by a thin, solid gray line. This line is shown to be about steady at 41,000 fatalities from 1997 to 2005, then the number of overall traffic fatalities goes down from 2007 to 2009, from about 41,000 to 33,800, respectively. The line continues to go down from 2009 to 2011, but at a slower rate, from about 33,800 to 32,300, respectively. The graph illustrates that as overall traffic fatalities have decreased, motorcycle fatalities have increased."
Figure 2. The number of traffic fatalities and motorcycle fatalities in the United States from 1997 to 2011 (Fatal Accident Reporting System, 2011).

Participants

The MCCS team was comprised of some of the most experienced motorcycle and crash data collection experts in the world. The study was led by Oklahoma State University (OSU) through the Southern Plains Transportation Center. Oklahoma State University worked with Dynamic Science, Inc., Westat, Inc., Dynamic Research, Inc., Collision and Injury Dynamics, Inc., and consultant James Ouellet to develop effective data collection methods, provide investigator training, and ensure the quality of data collected. In addition, the MCCS used an internationally recognized crash investigation method known as the OECD protocol (developed by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). The depth and completeness of the project has led to broad support from Federal Government agencies and other stakeholders.

Motorcycle Crash Causation Study Funding Partners

Participating States

Project Contact
Mohamedshah, Yusuf 
yusuf.mohamedshah@dot.gov
202-493-3464