1. In 2005, 43,443 people were killed and 2,699,000 were injured in 6,159,000 police-reported motor vehicle crashes. Daily that represents 17,000 reported crashes and 119 deaths.
2. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for all age groups from 3 to 33 years of age. Crashes are the 3rd leading cause of years of potential life lost for all ages combined.
3. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of occupational fatalities in the U.S.
4. A typical driver in the U.S. travels 12,000 to 15,000 miles annually and has a one in 15 chance of being involved in a motor vehicle collision each year. With most fleet drivers traveling 20,000 to 25,000 miles or more each year, they have a greater crash exposure.
5. The most dangerous part of the day for any employee is the time they spend in their vehicle witha crash occurring every 5 seconds, property damage occurring every 7 seconds, an injury occurring every 10 seconds, and a motor vehicle fatality occurring every 12 minutes.
6. Forty-one percent of the average vehicle miles traveled per household are from commuting to and from work (27%) and driving on work-related business (14%).
7. In 2000, the economic cost of crashes to employers was $60 billion resulting in 3 million lost workdays. Two-thirds of the cost ($40 billion) was from on-the-job crashes while one-third ($20 billion) was from off-the-job crashes for employees and their benefit-eligible dependents.
8. The average on-the-job crash costs an employer about $16,500 or just under $0.16 per mile driven. Crashes involving injuries cost substantially more — $504,408 for a fatal injury and $73,750 for a nonfatal injury.
9. With over 90 percent of motor vehicle crashes caused by human error, employers with high roadway exposure are at risk for a serious crash resulting in a lawsuit against their organization. Damages awarded to plaintiff’s making negligence claims against companies are at an all time high, settlements of $1 million or more are not unusual.
10. The development, implementation, enforcement, and monitoring of a strong driver safety program can protect an organization’s human and financial resources. Such a program allows an organization to be proactive in controlling crash risks and is the first line of defense against the potentially staggering costs from motor vehicle crashes involving employees.

Download the “10 Facts Every Employer Must Know” pdf file »

http://www.trcpg.com/

http://www.ghsa.org/

• Roundabouts
• Electronic Stability Control
• Automated Enforcement
• Infant and Child Car Seats
• Infant Car Safety
• Forward Facing Car Seats
• Booster Seats
• Older Children Car Safety

This web page provides a comprehensive view of the issues affecting the prevention of work-related roadway crashes. It recommends preventive measures for employers.

www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-119/

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

NHTSA is dedicated to reducing vehicle-related crashes, injuries and fatalities.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

This site provides detailed information on the investigation of selected highway crashes.

http://www.ntsb.gov/

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safey (IIHS)

The IIHS has been testing the safety of vehicles since 1959.

http://www.iihs.org/

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI)

VTTI is respected internationally for its research in transportation safety.

http://www.vtti.vt.edu/

Promoting Global Initiatives for Occupational Road Safety: Review of Occupational Road Safety Worldwide

This link has the entire proceedings of the February 2009 International Conference on Road Safety at Work held in Washington, D.C.
www.virtualriskmanager.net/niosh

White paper from the February 2009 International Conference on Road Safety at Work held in Washington, D.C. reviews many aspects of road safety throughout the world.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/twu/global/pdfs/WhitePaper.pdf

April 2008 United Nations resolution calling for Improving Global Road Safety

www.who.int/roadsafety/about/resolutions/A-RES-62-L-43.pdf

The Fleet Forum is an international not-for-profit dedicated to the safety of international agency relief fleets.

http://fleetforum.org/

Resource materials about road safety from the World Health Organization (WHO), including the Decade of Action for Road Safety, a WHO-led public and private sector initiative committed to reducing global traffic-related fatalities by 600,000, a 50% reduction, by 2020.

www.who.int/roadsafety/en

Download a summary of the study:
www.vtti.vt.edu/PDF/100-Car_Fact-Sheet.pdf

Download this pdf for more information on the study…
www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/hwysafety/assets/Occ_Prot-cellphone_National_study-Virginia_Tech_Transp_Institute.pdf

The motorcycle has been a popular mode of transportation for many Americans because of its initial low cost, and its use as a recreational vehicle. But today as fuel prices continue to rise and with a softening economy, consumers are being increasingly practical showing strong interest in motorcycles because of their good fuel efficiency and maneuverability in urban congestion. In fact, the U.S. motorcycle market experienced growth for the 14th consecutive year in 2007. Weekend warriors who used to motorcycle only recreationally are now opting to commute on two wheels. For many years, the motorcycle has been about recreation now it’s becoming about transportation. The Motorcycle Industry Council expects motorcycle sales to continue to increase—meaning more motorcycles on our nation’s roadways.

Fuel Efficiency Benefits

Motorcycles are by far the most fuel-efficient class of highway vehicle. While the average U.S. fuel consumption of cars, SUVs and light trucks hovers around 20 mpg, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, many motorcycles and scooters offer up to an estimated 60 or 70 miles per gallon (MPG) and some, with smaller engines, go even higher. These are general statistics used by motorcycle manufacturers, government representatives and individual riders because MPG data for specific models is difficult to find. There is not an industry-wide protocol for motorcycle MPG testing. Unlike with cars, federal law does not require motorcycle manufacturers to perform fuel-economy tests or, if they do, to reveal their numbers, since motorcycles make up such a small percentage of overall vehicles and get good mileage.

Real-world mileage is also affected by how a motorcycle is ridden, the rider’s clothing and body weight, as well as air temperature, altitude, weather, traffic and road conditions, bike maintenance, vehicle accessories, and cargo carried, etc.

In general, motorcycles consume fewer resources per mile than automobiles and in congested urban areas can save riders travel time.

Parking Benefits

Parking is cheaper and easier. Motorcycles offer a compact, easy to-park-solution for those in urban areas where parking spots can rent for hundreds of dollars a month. Several motorcycles can occupy the space allocated for one passenger vehicle, creating more spaces for other users.

Use of HOV Lanes

Motorcycles are permitted by federal law to use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, even though they typically carry only one passenger.

Charity Benefits

Charitable participation from the motorcycle community is inspiring. Many motorcycle organizations raise money for national and local charities through organized events and rides to benefit people in the most critical need. TravelingBikers.com is one resource to locate a charity ride or event.

As roadways become increasingly complex and congested, are your employees who ride for work  well-trained, equipped and knowledgeable on how to safely ride a motorcycle?

Motorcyclists must wear helmets and other protective gear and equipment, acquire professional rider education and training, maximize their conspicuity through lighting and apparel, obtain the proper motorcycle license, and never drink and ride.  Motorcycles must be properly equipped, and maintained.  While the reasons for having employees ride motorcycles for work are varied, simply being able to ride a motorcycle is not the same as knowing how to operate a motorcycle safely and legally.

Employers must minimize the risk to their employees and to their organizations to the greatest extent practicable, by implementing a strong safety program that ensures that all riders are knowledgeable and skillful through participation in rider education and training programs and have access to continuing quality education and training.  By providing appropriate protective gear and equipment, keeping motorcycles well-maintained, and following careful motorcycle use policies, employers are advocating a safer riding environment.

Police Motorcycle Officers

Operating a police motorcycle greatly differs from civilian motorcycle operation since a motorcycle officer must constantly scan the roadway for motor vehicle violations, criminal activity, operate communications equipment and weave through stalled traffic in response to emergencies. Because of the high-risk riding required by police, motorcycle training is not an area that can be overlooked or ignored.

Unfortunately, some states do not have police officer standards and training (P.O.S.T.) requirements, which means a department, can assign any officer with a motorcycle license to a motorcycle with no additional training.

There are excellent comprehensive courses designed for new or current police motorcycle officers seeking to hone their skills and enhance their safety on the road.  It is usually recommended that participants in operator courses have prior motorcycling experience and have completed a basic skills test.