The players are being lined up for what is being considered as the Federal government's biggest study of motorcycle safety since 1981.

With motorcyclists accounting for 14 percent of all traffic deaths even as the NHTSA recently reported the total vehicles miles driven are falling and overall fatalities continue to drop, many in and out of the saddle have wanted an in-depth study conducted.

"Having a better understanding of what causes these crashes will help us improve roadway safety for everyone," said Administrator Mendez, " Keeping people safe on America's roads is Secretary LaHood's top priority at the Department of Transportation."

The 14 percent of traffic deaths equated to 5,300 motorcycle riders who lost their lives in 2008 as well as the 96,000 who were injured on America's highways. Between 1997 and 2008, motorcycle rider fatalities increased from 2,116 to 5,290 - a 150 percent jump, according to U.S. Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System. In 2008 alone, deaths due to motorcycle crashes rose by an estimated 2.2 percent while all other vehicle classes saw reductions in fatalities.

Despite years of steadily improving highway safety and roadway fatalities at historic lows, motorcycle riders remain one of the highest-risk groups on America's roads. The latest research will evaluate data from hundreds of motorcycle crashes to help identify common factors - including road configurations, environmental conditions and rider experience.

The announcement of the safety study has pleased motorcycle advocacy groups.

"The announcement that the full study will now begin is great news," said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. "While the study will take years to complete, it promises to offer up information that will allow for the creation of effective countermeasures to make the roads safer for all of us."
 
The study's focus is to look at how these factors may be affected by countermeasures that, if effectively implemented, will prevent motorcycle crashes or lessen the harm when they occur.

The motorcycle crash causation study will be the federal government's first major in-depth analysis of motorcycle safety in nearly three decades. A provision in the "Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users" (SAFETEA-LU) requires the study, which will be conducted by the FHWA in partnership with the Oklahoma State University.

The university's Oklahoma Transportation Center is one of the U.S. Department of Transportation's 10 National University Transportation Centers, and it receives federal grants to conduct transportation research.

"OSU is delighted to be the lead research institution for this important study," said Dr. Alan Tree, associate dean for research in OSU’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. "We expect very significant, scientifically valid results to emerge from this work and look forward to a very positive final outcome."