Whenever there is a motorcycle accident, nearly every person asks whether or not the rider was wearing a helmet. Later on, they might get around to inquiring about the well-being of the rider or the circumstances that caused the accident. Some never bother to go beyond the helmet topic.

The vast majority of motorcycle accidents have nothing to do with whether or not the rider wore a helmet. They are caused by inattentive drivers. More than 64 percent of multi-vehicle accidents involving a motorcycle are due to the actions of the driver of the other vehicle. Additionally, in approximately 10 percent of single-vehicle motorcycle accidents another vehicle was at fault even though no contact occurred.

There is an attitude of indifference and sometimes downright malice towards motorcyclists that many government officials and members of the general public convey through their words and actions. Many times statements made to and by the media infer or blatantly state that an injured motorcyclist is somehow responsible for his or her injuries when the motorcyclist's only role may have been to attempt to avoid a collision.

What should happen instead?

We live in an environment that presents daily challenges that have a dramatic effect on transportation and commuting. Motorcycles are becoming increasingly more popular as fuel and space efficient vehicles. The number of frequent, daily riders has increased dramatically as people try to cope with rising fuel prices. Many motorcycles achieve mileage rates that exceed 40 miles per gallon making them an attractive, economical transportation alternative.

Over the next months and years it is likely that there will be more incentives for individuals to explore transportation alternatives. Motorcycles have already become part of the evolving transportation landscape. An increasing number of individuals commute almost daily on motorcycles because of rising gasoline prices. Motorcycle parking areas in many workplaces are overflowing now when they were previously under-utilized. Some of these riders commute year-round and only avoid riding on days when snow or ice makes commuting by motorcycle impossible.

Drivers, law enforcement, government officials, legislators, and the general public need to acknowledge that motorcycles are a viable form of transportation that have many positive attributes when navigating crowded roads and parking lots. They also need to acknowledge that these vehicles are more vulnerable and the consequences should an accident occur rarely favour the motorcyclist.

The focus should not be on the helmet which in many cases provides little or no protection. A helmet can become dislodged or come off during a collision; which is precisely what happened in the collision that took Marty's life. Instead, shift the focus to what happens before an accident occurs and strive for accident prevention. Rather than perpetual emphasis solely on helmet use, accentuate awareness by all road users of the strengths and weaknesses of each vehicle type on the roads today; whether that vehicle is a car, truck, tractor-trailer, bus, bicycle or motorcycle.

It's all about safer driving and riding, not safer crashing.

Legislation advocated by ABATE of Maryland, Inc. during the 2006 session of the Maryland General Assembly sought to increase the penalties for right-of-way violations that result in serious injury or a fatality. The House of Delegates and Senate bill numbers were HB 1383 and SB 429 respectively.

ABATE of Maryland, Inc. is responsible for legislation that established the Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program (MMSP) in 1983 and continues to monitor the program and mitigate events that have threatened the existence and viability of the MMSP since that time.

ABATE of Maryland, Inc. is an active participant in the Maryland Motorcycle Safety Task Force.