Gas price increases linked to more motorcycle injuries

Gas price increases linked to more motorcycle injuries


High gas prices cause “pain at the pump” as you see those dollars flying by while you’re filling up your car.

But a new study reveals the link between pricey gas and another, much more serious source of pain: motorcycle accidents.

A group of scientists from Nebraska studied motor vehicle and traffic data from California. The Golden State has more motorcycle registrations than any other state.

The researchers culled data from the years 2002 to 2011. For the first six years, the researchers found that both gasoline prices and the number of California motorcycle registrations increased significantly.

The link is easily explained as an effort by many Californians to reduce their personal fuel costs by adopting more fuel-efficient methods of transportation.

Through 2007, motorcycle registrations were up by a staggering average of 48,000 per year.

When fuel costs dipped toward the end of the study period, motorcycle registrations followed suit.

Not surprisingly, injuries and deaths caused by motorcycle crashes rose during the study timeframe, too. At their highest, the injuries and fatalities were up 34 percent over the starting yearly rate of about 10,000 in 2002.

When the researchers directly compared these stats to the gasoline prices, they found a strong correlation.

If you enjoy riding motorcycles, there is at least one precaution that can help you stay safe. Helmets have been shown to drastically reduce death and serious injuries from accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, helmets prevent more than 37 percent of deaths among those who ride motorcycles. Helmets prevent deaths in more than 40 percent of motorcycle passengers, too.

If you want to be an easy rider, it’s best to wear your headgear.

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