Good afternoon, everyone and welcome to our webinar that will focus on “A Safe System Approach to Motorcycle Safety.”
No one’s at greater risk of losing their life on our roads than vulnerable road users. That includes anyone who’s NOT in a vehicle: pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcycle riders, among others.
In 2020, over one-third of all roadway deaths were vulnerable road users—the highest level since 1975, which is when the government started tracking. That’s why “Protecting Vulnerable Road Users Through a Safe System Approach” is on the NTSB’s Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements.
In 2020, 5,579 motorcyclists died in traffic crashes—an 11 percent increase from 2019—accounting for 14 percent of all fatalities that year.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. With warmer weather motorcyclists who have been cooped will be eager to get out on the road again. Both motorcyclists and motorists need to be extra cautious. A month dedicated to reminding motorcyclists and motorists that safe driving, riding practices and cooperation from all road users is needed. However, to get us to zero fatalities and serious injuries on the nation’s roads, we need to do more.
The NTSB has called for the adoption of the Safe System Approach. A key principle of the Safe System Approach is that road safety is a shared responsibility. Today, we have a fantastic lineup of speakers who will look at motorcycle safety through the lens of this approach. They will talk about NTSB crash investigations and safety recommendations, vehicle design and technology for both motorcycles and passenger vehicles, infrastructure needs, driver training and protective gear, and safe driving and riding practices to improve safety for motorcyclists.
One life lost on our roads is one too many. More than 5,000 motorcyclists killed on our roads every year is completely unacceptable and these deaths are preventable. As you listen to our speakers and the discussion today, I encourage you to look for where you can share the responsibility for improving road safety for our most vulnerable road users.
Thank you for joining us for this important discussion.
Watch the event on NTSB YouTube:
