A recent study found that more motorcyclists are killed when gas prices are high in the U.S.
As summer approaches and the weather is getting nicer, more people will choose to travel by motorcycle in New Jersey. According to a recent study, a pleasant temperature is not the only factor that contributes to rising motorcycle use across the country.
The National Safety Council reported that gasoline prices are tied to the number of motorcyclist fatalities across the country. According to the report, when gas prices are high, more motorcyclists are killed in collisions. Correspondingly, the number of motorcyclist deaths drop when gas prices fall.
The researchers suggested that this correlation is due to the fact that motorcycles are more fuel-efficient than larger
motor vehicles. Consequently, more people choose to travel by motorcycle when gas prices are up, to save money on their commute.
Motorcyclist fatalities are up across the country
In the United States, the number of motorcyclists killed has been on the rise in recent years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From 1999 to 2008, the number of motorcyclists killed in accidents with motor vehicles more than doubled. In all, over 34,000 motorcyclists died and over 1.2 million required emergency room care from 2001 to 2008 in the United States.
In New Jersey, 77 motorcyclists died in 2012, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of those, 66 of the motorcyclists were wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.
Safety experts report that wearing a helmet is the most important factor when it comes to reducing motorcyclist fatalities. In 2011, over 1,600 motorcyclists were saved because they were wearing helmets, according to the NHTSA. In New Jersey, all motorcyclists are required to wear a helmet when on the road. The universal helmet law was originally enacted in the state in 1968.
In addition to wearing helmets, motorcyclists can also protect themselves by refraining from riding after they have consumed alcohol or drugs and abiding by the speed limit. Motorcyclists should also wear protective clothing when on the road and ensure they have sufficient lights and reflective panels for other motorists to spot them at night.
When someone is injured or killed in a motorcycle collision, the responsible party should be held accountable for the harm caused in the crash. If you or someone you love has been affected by a motorcycle accident, you should take the time to talk to a skilled personal injury attorney, who will focus on safeguarding your interests.
If you or someone you know has sustained an injury, whether on the job, on the road, due to a medical professional’s negligence, or otherwise, our firm is here. Rubenstein, Berliner & Shinrod, LLC has helped countless victims of negligence over the years, and we are ready to do the same for you. Contact our firm today so we can get started.
