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Developing motorcycle safety strategies (Malaysia, United States of America, Australia)
There are many issues affecting the safety of motorcycle and scooter use in every jurisdiction and a variety of potential initiatives exist but resources are often limited. Therefore there is a need to take a strategic approach to prioritising safety issues and selecting the most effective strategies. This case study describes the development of motorcycle safety strategies in the following jurisdictions: Malaysia; the United States of America; and the state of Queensland in Australia. Each of these jurisdictions used a different approach to the development of their strategy.
In 1997, the Ministry of Transport Malaysia assigned the task of developing a motorcycle safety strategy to the Road Safety Research Centre (RSRC) in the Faculty of Engineering at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) (Radin Umar, Billyamin, Ibrahim, 2004). The process of strategy development began with research that analysed 6,000 detailed crashes and more than 193 collision mechanisms to identify the key problems relating to motorcycle crashes in Malaysia. Based on this information, the strategy comprised programs addressing that focused on:
- Exposure control
- Conspicuity
- Behaviour modification
- Road engineering
- Injury control
An evaluation of the programs was conducted and found that the safety interventions significantly reduced traffic deaths following implementation and were effective in offsetting the fatality trend. Following this, a new safety strategy was established for the following 10 years.
In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) partnered with motorcycle groups and organisations across the U.S. to develop the 'National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety'. The document was developed by a technical working group of experts in motorcycle safety, led by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and the NHTSA, and published in November 2000. The partnership approach meant that National Agenda was never intended to be a consensus document, given the diverse opinions among the many stakeholders. The document acknowledges that it would be unrealistic to expect everyone to agree with all aspects of the agenda (NHTSA, 2000). Over a 24 month period the Technical Working Group collected data, listening to motorcyclist about their experiences. This information guided the principles used in the agenda. The document omitted specific legislative recommendations in an effort to maintain harmony among all groups holding a stake in motorcycle safety.
The Technical Working Group (TWG) also informed the development of the content of the agenda based on past research. Specifically, the TWG used the Haddon Matrix (cited in NHTSA, 2000) focusing on the following factors: human, vehicle, environmental and social; pre-crash, crash and post-crash. Eighty two individual recommendations were made in the 'National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety'.
In 2006, an Implementation Guide for the NAMS was published. Its purpose was to outline specific action steps to achieve those NAMS recommendations that were directed to States and communities. The Implementation Guide acknowledges that it does not address the other half of the NAMS recommendations that are directed primarily to national agencies or organizations, including recommendations regarding research, program evaluation, data collection, regulation, motorcycle design and manufacture, and motorcycle operator insurance.
In the state of Queensland in Australia, the State Government Department of Transport and Main Roads, was solely responsible for the development of the Queensland Motorcycle Safety Strategy 2009-2012. The development of the Strategy was underpinned by the preparation of a technical paper in 2006 that identified the issues that were contributing to the over-representation of motorcycle riders in crashes and recent increases in riders killed and hospitalised, assessed the potential road safety measures to address these issues and made recommendations regarding measures that could feasibly and effectively be implemented in Queensland. The report was prepared by Monash University Accident Research Centre. The contents of the Technical Report formed the basis of a publicly available consultation paper 'Motorbike Safety in Queensland – Consultation Paper' which was issued in April 2008. More than 2,300 online and written responses on the Consultation Paper were received from motorcyclists, other road users, organisations representing motorcyclists, trainers, manufacturers and retailers, and businesses using motorcycles. Workshops were held with motorcycle safety group and committees and registered training service providers. Comments were provided on the initiatives and alternatives were suggested. This feedback was collated and analysed by researchers at the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety Queensland (CARRS-Q).
The final Strategy "adopted a 'safe systems' approach to motorcycle safety encompassing all elements of the road environment, including road users and behaviours, speed, vehicles, roads and roadsides. It emphasises that road safety is a shared responsibility between all parties — the owners of the road system, vehicle designers and road users" (TMR, 2009, pg 1).
The Strategy outlined 11 top priority actions for earliest possible implementation, three actions for further research and seven actions for continued monitoring and/or investigation. These are:
- Introduce new restrictions to enhance the current motorcycle graduated licensing system;
- Develop public education campaigns and/or communication activities about conspicuity and protective clothing;
- Develop public education campaigns and/or communication activities for returning riders;
- Develop public education campaigns and/or communication activities to promote material such as the riders' handbook;
- Review the Terms of Reference, role and function of the Motorbike Safety Working Group;
- Collaborate with the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) to commission and conduct motorcycle safety research, including education and training programs for riders;
- Continue road maintenance and infrastructure projects;
- Participate in the development of a national guideline for protective gear;
- Conduct research to obtain relevant and accurate data on the use of mopeds and motor-trikes;
- Research best practice moped and motor-trike training and licensing options;
- Research the risks associated with dormant and returning riders, and investigate alternatives to encourage appropriate skills refreshment for riders returning after an extended break from riding.
References
NHTSA, 2000. National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Washington DC.
Radin Umar, R.S., Billyamin, I. and Ibrahim, S. 2004. Motorcycle Safety Programs in Malaysia [PDF]. Road Safety Research Centre, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Road Safety Seminar 29-30 March 2004, Kuala Lumpur.
TMR, 2009. Queensland Motorcycle Safety Strategy 2009-2012. Department of Transport and Main Roads. Brisbane. |
