As part of the National Cooperative Research and Evaluation Program (“NCREP”), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) has released a report examining why motorcycle riders choose to wear – or not wear – high-visibility gear and what can be done to encourage greater use rates.
In a statement, the NHTSA observed that motorcyclists are far overrepresented in traffic fatalities, with more than 5,000 riders dying in crashes each year. Many of these tragedies are attributed to a motor vehicle driver not seeing the motorcyclists, making rider visibility paramount to safety.
“Motorcyclists’ Attitudes on Using High-Visibility Gear to Improve Conspicuity: Findings From a Focus Group Study,” reports most participants did not regularly wear such gear. Those who did wear the ideal safety gear explained their decision was based on having been in a crash with a motor vehicle or personally knowing another rider who had been affected.
Participants recommended increasing the acceptance of high-visibility gear among motorcyclists through more attractive and appealing clothing (with preference for retroreflective gear over bright colors); high-visibility elements being universally incorporated across all branded motorcycle gear; clear educational messaging backed by statistics; financial incentives such as insurance discounts; and gradual social norming, such as encouraging use during low-light conditions.
GHSA member State Highway Safety Offices (“SHSOs”) are concerned about motorcyclist safety and working to reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving them. Understanding why riders do or do not wear high-visibility gear will assist SHSOs in their messaging and outreach to the motorcyclist community, the NHTSA said.
NCREP is a portfolio of research projects jointly managed by NHTSA and the Governors Highway Safety Association (“GHSA”) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The research topics are selected by highway safety offices to help inform state policy, planning, and programs on top traffic safety issues.
Learn more: Motorcyclists’ Study
Steven A. Meyerowitz
Steven A. Meyerowitz, a Harvard Law School graduate, is the founder and president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. He may be contacted at [email protected].