takaaki44
yee
First off, I am extremely appreciative of the work and efforts being put into this type of action. Nothing but praise to have the opportunity to contribute directly into the decision making that affects all of us, both here and those who may not.
Here are my thoughts... I don't want to completely repeat a lot of what has been said, but a few key points I agree with include:
1) increased awareness by ALL drivers of the laws and safety issues regarding motorcycles
2) mandatory MSF course requirements AND/OR stricter DMV riding tests
3) stricter driving tests for auto drivers OR the introduction of mandatory license renewal driving/written tests*
4) a fully dedicated motorcycle lane on freeways
*For point #3, I would argue that while it is reasonable to issue a license to an individual who passes both written/driving tests, both knowledge and in some cases skills can deteriorate over time. While logic would tell you that more experience should mean more skills, this can be diluted by decreased physical abilities, slowed vision/reaction times, or flat out bad habits. Additionally, road laws/standards/priorities change and there is no other way to regulate that all drivers are up to date on the latest than to TEST them periodically. As we all know, it is a privilege to drive, and all drivers should bear the burden of proving that they are worthy to do so on a recurring basis (whether that be every 5, 7, 10 years, etc)
I'd also like to comment on each of the action areas:
12.1 Develop a monitoring program to identify motorcycle high-collision concentration locations and implement engineering, enforcement, and
education improvements. This should be used as a means to create a new "Hurt Report". Identifying the locations, but more importantly the causes of accidents/deaths and gathering as much data as possible regarding causing factors.
12.2 Hold a motorcycle safety summit to review the SHSP actions and create
an action plan for statewide motorcycle safety initiatives. Include
stakeholders representing riders, government, safety organizations, law
enforcement, insurance companies, and dealers. Necessary and great to include many groups that are stakeholders in motorcycle safety. One stakeholder group that I believe is missing is motorcycle manufacturers (as an addition/extension to dealers). Manufacturers have more at stake and greater ownership to make changes in the safety of the vehicles we ride.
12.3 Assess both the DMV’s California Driver Handbook and standard
traffic school curriculum for information on sharing the road with
motorcycles and make additions and revisions as necessary. CRUCIAL. I agree with many others in that the only people who truly are care about, are aware of, and understand motorcycle safety issues are those that take the risk of riding a motorcycle (and sadly this doesn't even apply to all riders). Yet we all know that many (not all) accidents are caused by NON-riders who are even less aware. This to me is a critical gap between the cause of accidents and the need to educate the source.
12.4 Create and implement an on-line traffic violator school curriculum
specifically for motorcyclists. Important, but not as critical as 12.3. Also, I believe much of this can be addressed by mandatory MSF or stricter driving tests for motorcyclists.
12.5 Install signs and markings at high-crash concentration locations
involving motorcycles, that are consistent with the CAMUTCD;
remove, relocate, make breakaway or shield fixed objects; consider
crashworthy barriers that are more “forgiving” to motorcyclists, or
make curve corrections. I'd say that 12.1 is a pre-requisite to this. It needs to be determined whether the construction of the road is really the issue before spending the money to do this type of potentially costly work. However, this could be a GREAT means to introduce the concept of a motorcycle lane.
12.6 Identify owners of motorcycles who are not licensed to operate a
motorcycle and alert them to California’s requirement to be licensed in
order to operate their motorcycle. This is a no brainer, and I would go as far to say to make it required to have an M1 to register a motorcycle. I understand that it's difficult to enforce purchase of a motorcycle, but registration of the vehicle w/the DMV should require having the appropriate license to operate it.
12.7 Educate judges, judge pro-tems, and court commissioners through
DMV court liaisons to make them aware that the Basic Rider Course
can be used to educate violators and to help them recognize proper and
legal safety equipment. Again, opportunity to drive the push for MSF for all riders.
12.8 Focus motorcycle-related law enforcement activities on areas with high
motorcycle volumes. Yes, but I see the risk of "law enforcement" turning into increased distribution of traffic tickets. If the focus is truly on safety, then there needs to be improvements not only on riders following motorcycle laws, but drivers following road rules to prevent accidents.
12.9 Develop and implement motorcycle media campaigns such as “Ride
like you’re invisible, not invincible!” using a social marketing approach
and using new media (YouTube, My Space, etc.). This could be done w/help from BARF and other volunteer orgs, esp since this should not be a fiscal priority.
12.10 Encourage the development and distribution of the CHP brochure, a
DVD, and new media that describe the difference between the United
States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and a non-USDOT
approved helmet. I'd focus on new media and incorporating this into MSF, which again - should be mandatory. The cost and effectiveness of print/DVDs is likely not worth it.
12.11 Encourage use of approved USDOT helmets. Establish opportunities
for helmet exchange and discount certificates towards the purchase of a
safer helmet. This is great, any monetary incentives will be effective. Money talks.
12.12 Create a Motorcycle Initiatives Review Committee to increase quality,
continuity, and relevance of materials as well as to promote sharing of
information related to motorcyclist-safety or motorcycle-awareness. Again goes back to 12.3. As someone who works in the field of managing change and creating communications/awareness campaigns, I know that making something mandatory is exponentially more effective than trying to gain someones interest or support, no matter how well executed and planned.
I know that's a lot to read through but I think this is really important so hope that some of this is taken into consideration.
Here are my thoughts... I don't want to completely repeat a lot of what has been said, but a few key points I agree with include:
1) increased awareness by ALL drivers of the laws and safety issues regarding motorcycles
2) mandatory MSF course requirements AND/OR stricter DMV riding tests
3) stricter driving tests for auto drivers OR the introduction of mandatory license renewal driving/written tests*
4) a fully dedicated motorcycle lane on freeways
*For point #3, I would argue that while it is reasonable to issue a license to an individual who passes both written/driving tests, both knowledge and in some cases skills can deteriorate over time. While logic would tell you that more experience should mean more skills, this can be diluted by decreased physical abilities, slowed vision/reaction times, or flat out bad habits. Additionally, road laws/standards/priorities change and there is no other way to regulate that all drivers are up to date on the latest than to TEST them periodically. As we all know, it is a privilege to drive, and all drivers should bear the burden of proving that they are worthy to do so on a recurring basis (whether that be every 5, 7, 10 years, etc)
I'd also like to comment on each of the action areas:
12.1 Develop a monitoring program to identify motorcycle high-collision concentration locations and implement engineering, enforcement, and
education improvements. This should be used as a means to create a new "Hurt Report". Identifying the locations, but more importantly the causes of accidents/deaths and gathering as much data as possible regarding causing factors.
12.2 Hold a motorcycle safety summit to review the SHSP actions and create
an action plan for statewide motorcycle safety initiatives. Include
stakeholders representing riders, government, safety organizations, law
enforcement, insurance companies, and dealers. Necessary and great to include many groups that are stakeholders in motorcycle safety. One stakeholder group that I believe is missing is motorcycle manufacturers (as an addition/extension to dealers). Manufacturers have more at stake and greater ownership to make changes in the safety of the vehicles we ride.
12.3 Assess both the DMV’s California Driver Handbook and standard
traffic school curriculum for information on sharing the road with
motorcycles and make additions and revisions as necessary. CRUCIAL. I agree with many others in that the only people who truly are care about, are aware of, and understand motorcycle safety issues are those that take the risk of riding a motorcycle (and sadly this doesn't even apply to all riders). Yet we all know that many (not all) accidents are caused by NON-riders who are even less aware. This to me is a critical gap between the cause of accidents and the need to educate the source.
12.4 Create and implement an on-line traffic violator school curriculum
specifically for motorcyclists. Important, but not as critical as 12.3. Also, I believe much of this can be addressed by mandatory MSF or stricter driving tests for motorcyclists.
12.5 Install signs and markings at high-crash concentration locations
involving motorcycles, that are consistent with the CAMUTCD;
remove, relocate, make breakaway or shield fixed objects; consider
crashworthy barriers that are more “forgiving” to motorcyclists, or
make curve corrections. I'd say that 12.1 is a pre-requisite to this. It needs to be determined whether the construction of the road is really the issue before spending the money to do this type of potentially costly work. However, this could be a GREAT means to introduce the concept of a motorcycle lane.
12.6 Identify owners of motorcycles who are not licensed to operate a
motorcycle and alert them to California’s requirement to be licensed in
order to operate their motorcycle. This is a no brainer, and I would go as far to say to make it required to have an M1 to register a motorcycle. I understand that it's difficult to enforce purchase of a motorcycle, but registration of the vehicle w/the DMV should require having the appropriate license to operate it.
12.7 Educate judges, judge pro-tems, and court commissioners through
DMV court liaisons to make them aware that the Basic Rider Course
can be used to educate violators and to help them recognize proper and
legal safety equipment. Again, opportunity to drive the push for MSF for all riders.
12.8 Focus motorcycle-related law enforcement activities on areas with high
motorcycle volumes. Yes, but I see the risk of "law enforcement" turning into increased distribution of traffic tickets. If the focus is truly on safety, then there needs to be improvements not only on riders following motorcycle laws, but drivers following road rules to prevent accidents.
12.9 Develop and implement motorcycle media campaigns such as “Ride
like you’re invisible, not invincible!” using a social marketing approach
and using new media (YouTube, My Space, etc.). This could be done w/help from BARF and other volunteer orgs, esp since this should not be a fiscal priority.
12.10 Encourage the development and distribution of the CHP brochure, a
DVD, and new media that describe the difference between the United
States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and a non-USDOT
approved helmet. I'd focus on new media and incorporating this into MSF, which again - should be mandatory. The cost and effectiveness of print/DVDs is likely not worth it.
12.11 Encourage use of approved USDOT helmets. Establish opportunities
for helmet exchange and discount certificates towards the purchase of a
safer helmet. This is great, any monetary incentives will be effective. Money talks.
12.12 Create a Motorcycle Initiatives Review Committee to increase quality,
continuity, and relevance of materials as well as to promote sharing of
information related to motorcyclist-safety or motorcycle-awareness. Again goes back to 12.3. As someone who works in the field of managing change and creating communications/awareness campaigns, I know that making something mandatory is exponentially more effective than trying to gain someones interest or support, no matter how well executed and planned.
I know that's a lot to read through but I think this is really important so hope that some of this is taken into consideration.
