University of Iowa researcher looks for fix to rising motorcycle crashes

If the last decade is any indicator, more motorcyclists will die on Iowa roads this August. The month typically ends with higher numbers of motorcyclist fatalities, though those who keep a close pulse on traffic safety statistics are noticing more and more motorcycle collisions.

"In the past few years, we've really seen an increase in the number of motorcycle crashes, more than expected," said Cara Hamann, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Iowa. 

As roadways become more dangerous for motorcyclists, Hamann is trying to figure out why — and more critically — how to prevent crashes. The researcher's new study out of the UI Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center tries to identity warning signs that indicate when a motorcyclist is more likely to crash by looking at traffic violation histories. 

Hamann, along with colleague Jinli Wang, reviewed motorcycle crashes in Iowa between 2011-15, looking for traffic violation charges received by involved motorcyclists and drivers in the three years leading up to the crashes. 

About a third of drivers showed signs of previous charges. These motorcyclists were largely young, male and not wearing helmets. 

The findings ultimately suggest motorcyclists at a higher crash risk may be identifiable through their traffic violation histories, says Hamann. Motorcyclists who did not collide with another vehicle during the crash were more likely to have previous charges, compared to motorcyclists that collided with another vehicle. 

"When you crash yourself, maybe there is something about those drivers that makes them not as safe of a motorcyclist to begin with," she said. 

Based on the findings, Hamann said it could be helpful to increase penalties for traffic violations, particularly for drives who fall into the higher crash risk category. 

"Not waiting until the crash happens, but when there is a more minor traffic violation, maybe we have retraining," she said. "When someone gets pulled over for ticketing, that might be an opportunity to intervene and prevent a future crash." 

Motorcyclists account for fewer than 1% of all vehicle miles driven on Iowa roads, Hamman said. 

"But they make up a much larger proportion of the crashes and fatalities on our roads," she said, noting that motorcyclists make up 14% of all fatalities and 16% of all severe injuries.

Preventing these accidents is a regular item on Iowa's Strategic Highway Safety Plan, a federally mandated statement of what the state will do to improve roadways. The most recent plan notes that motorcycle crashes are particularly alarming given the fact that motorcycles can typically only be driven during the warmer months. 

Hamman, who contributed to the plan, says the key to preventing roadway tragedies will have to start with understanding what causes them. 

"We really need to figure out what's going on with motorcyclists," Hamman said. "Even though we've done this work, much more still needs to be done."