Page 2 - Motorcycle Safety Guide

How safe is motorcycling?
How does it compare to driving
an automobile?
Are there any special
precautions to be observed?
What are the causes of
motorcycle crashes and how
can crashes be reduced?

HOW SAFE IS A
MOTORCYCLE?

BACKGROUND This booklet points out the risks involved
in motorcycling. It provides safety tips and
Motorcycle safety and the lives of those who discusses protective clothing, defensive driving,
enjoy life on 2-wheels, for work or pleasure, are inspection and maintenance, and proper
incredibly important to MSI. Motorcyclists are reaction to hazardous conditions – all of which
the most vulnerable road users and represent a have a major impact on motorcycle safety on
significant portion of the trauma on our roads each our streets and highways.
year. Motorcyclists are more exposed to crash risk
than other road users which is due to the design and This booklet briefly discusses the need for
performance of these machines, their sensitivity training and safety. Additional information on
to the difference in road surface and design, and motorcycle safety, rider education and risk
the lack of protection for riders and passengers awareness, is available on the MSI website at:
compared to occupants of other vehicles. These
factors all contribute to the continued involvement www.msi.org.za
of motorcyclists in fatal and serious injury crashes
on South African roads. Other common factors to all
road user groups such as speed, alcohol, and fatigue
also influence the motorcyclist road toll.

Apart from our Crash Data, valuable raw data has
also been collected from our online tests and survey,
data we’ve compiled and analysed to benefit those
who participated and those who have not. Be sure
to learn from our research then make the necessary
adjustments on a personal level.

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