Hardly any weekend passes without the tragic news of a fatality or serious traffic accident involving a motorcycle. The statistics speak for themselves – motorcycle accidents are becoming much too frequent an occurrence. At weekends motorcycle lovers come out usually in packs, many with their partner riding pillion, to display their riding skills on Maltese roads. The noise they create as they skim past motorcars can sometimes be ear deafening and even sound threatening. But it seems that there is something serious lacking in the practice of this hobby because the rise in traffic accidents involving motorcyclists seems to be a weekend curse. It would be wise to analyse this sudden rising momentum of motorcycle accidents during the weekend and seek preventive measures.

During weekends many motorcyclists take to the roads and display some terrific motorcycling manoeuvres adding to the risk of accident on our roads as underlined by statistics. It is inevitable that the man in the street asks certain relevant questions:

“Is there enough police presence on the roads to control over speeding and book the culprits?

“Are breathalyser tests or blood alcohol concentration tests being carried out, especially during the weekends?

“Are bikers covered by the correct license and insurance? Are the motorcycles according to their model specifications or have they been modified to increase their power, speed and noise?”

The problem in Malta is not to make motorcycle drivers wear a helmet because the vast majority do so, although even with a helmet the rest of the body is not protected. Another question would be:

“How many of these deadly accidents could have been prevented if there were more police presence on the road to monitor and educate these drivers?”

Usually these drivers stop at bars to cool off.  Perhaps it would be wise for police officers on motorbikes to mix with the drivers at the places where they congregate and hand them some information brochure to educate them without sounding threatening. Insurance companies could also embark on such a campaign as well.   What one is sure of though, is that the number of fatalities of motorcycle accidents is rising.

Very interesting and alarming statistics with regard to motorcycle fatalities and accidents, which may help Maltese policymakers and law enforcers, can be drawn from the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. These might help authorities locally in their fight against motorcycle accidents and increase awareness. It was reported by NHTSA in 2007 that motorcycle riders were nine times more likely to be hurt than someone in a wreck sitting in the passenger seat of the car and more likely to die by 37 times. Those are some very scary statistics, however they aren’t the worst. The fatality rate in 2008 for motorcycle riders was six times greater than the fatality rate of passenger seat occupants.

Having insurance on your motorcycle will help bikers and families after a crash, however it won’t help them emotionally if someone is injured or dies in a crash. That’s something to keep in mind when going out for a ride and a good reason for not only wearing a helmet but also observing the law and be prudent when driving.

Drivers should also be careful to keep to the speed limits and all the driving rules. To support this suggestion, here’s another NHTSA statistic: In 2008, 35 per cent of all motorcycle riders that had a fatal crash, were speeding. All of those crashes and the subsequent deaths could have been avoided if those riders had been paying attention.

Bikers don’t need us to tell them how dangerous it is on the open road – distracted car drivers, big trucks that take up more than their share, and much more. The accident risk equation has to be solved by all parties, the government, the bikers, insurance companies and other motorists. Every safety measure that is taken to prevent accidents will keep bikers from getting hurt including those around them. In this way, families will be able to keep their most valued asset, which is you.

Anthony Zarb Dimech

BIRKIRKARA