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Date: Thu, 10 May 2001 03:31:34 -0700 To: senator_murray@murray.senate.gov, senator_cantwell@cantwell.senate.gov, dunnwa08@mail.house.gov, John_McCain@McCain.senate.gov, don.young@mail.house.gov, rick.larsen@mail.house.gov, brian.baird@mail.house.gov, eugene.taylor@ost.dot.gov, norman.mineta@ost.dot.gov From: Kathy E Gill - kathy@motogrrl.com Subject: NHTSA reports more older riders in motorcycle crashes Cc: emoreland@ama-cycle.org, kbolin@cougarvalley.com The following letter to CNN.Com reflects my concerns about a recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report on motorcycle accidents. It is unclear from the news report if the reporting is slanted or if the NHTSA report is slanted; the NHTSA web site does not yet reference the report nor are 2000 data available (this story was released on 4 May). I am writing you because either -- you represent me in Washington, DC; -- you hold a position of Congressional oversight over NHTSA; or -- you hold a position of managerial oversight over NHTSA. I am interested in obtaining a copy of the report, which was provided in advance to CNN.com, and in discovering if the spin accompanying this story was solely that of the reporter or if it was stimulated by the tone of the NHTSA report. Thank you, Kathy E. Gill 1075 Bellevue Way NE #314 Bellevue WA 98004 === begin copy of CNN.com response === http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/05/04/older.injuries/index.html TO CNN.COM: As a taxpayer, motorcyclist and motorcycle instructor, I strongly object to reporting that is so full of analytical stumblings that I'm prompted to send both the Health Editor and the reporter a copy of _A Mathematician Reads The Newspaper_. Moreover, the tone of this article extends from its shaky foundation -- and is alarmist in the extreme. Is this the tone of the report or the reporter? Won't know until I am able to read the as-yet-not-public report (note -- the article does not say when the report will be released to the public, nor can I find it at the NHTSA web site -- five days after this article was published). Let's examine the first and second "findings": "Preliminary statistics for 2000 showed motorcycle crashes have steadily increased over the past three years. In the year 2000 alone, deaths on motorcycles increased 8 percent, to 2,680 fatalities." "One reason cited was the increase in the number of motorcycles on the road -- sales increased by 51 percent between 1997 and 1999 -- but the report found other possible factors as well." Why even mention crashes when the article -- and NHTSA stats -- focus on deaths? Reporting an absolute increase -- rather than number of deaths per number of motorcycles on the road -- does little to illuminate the issue. It is, however, alarming as presented and makes for great headlines. It also ignores the fact that NHTSA statistics indicate that motorcycle deaths also increased 8 percent from 1998 to 1999 (from 2,294 in 1998 to 2,472 in 1999 [1]). What "steady increase"? At this rate, for the past three years, deaths might have increased as much as 24 percent -- compared to a 51 percent increase in bikes sold. Why not this spin instead? Despite the increasing popularity of motorcycles for recreation and commuting, fatalities and accidents are not increasing at the same rate as ownership, suggesting that riders are practicing defensive riding skills. And suggesting that courses like the Motorcycle Safety Foundation new and experienced rider courses are well worth their time and money. Oh. That's right. "Good news" doesn't sell, nor does it often result in budget increases. So let's fabricate some bad news, shall we, using data like these: "The highest alcohol use among riders killed was in the 30-39 age group, in which almost half were legally drunk." This is news? It is not "news" that half (or more) of accidents involving motorcycle fatalities include alcohol as a factor. We also know that the definition of "legally drunk" has recently changed from 0.10 BAC to 0.08 BAC in many states -- making it difficult to compare year-to-year data. Add this scintillating fact: "There also is evidence that larger bikes, which aren't necessarily faster but are more difficult to handle, might be contributing to the increase in fatalities." Who says? What evidence? And what, exactly, does the reporter mean? Weight? Engine size? This is unattributed opinion masquerading as reporting -- and it certainly would have landed me an 'F' when I was in journalism school. The only data used to substantiate this point is engine size -- and comparing 1990 to 1999 on this count is truly like comparing apples and oranges! The percentage of motorcycles being sold in the 1000cc-and-over range is far greater today than it was in 1990! Could our reporter -- or the NHTSA researchers -- NOT know this? Finally: "Dick Schriner, an instructor in a motorcycle training program in Glen Bernie, Maryland, thinks his students 'have an overinflated idea of their abilities, of what they can handle and cannot handle, and... of what they can deal with in traffic.'" Warning - sarcasm from a former reporter: I am so glad that the CNN reporter could find a motorcycle safety instructor willing to provide a soundbite that matches the slant of the article. In my experience (I'm in my second year as an instructor), most of my students understand their limits. (This is, by the way, one of the things we are supposed to help them recognize in the course -- does Mr. Schriner realize how damning his statement is as a reflection on his abilities as an instructor?) They recognize that riding a training bike in a parking lot is different from riding a 650cc or 1200cc motorcycle in metropolitan rush hour traffic. In fact, it is this awareness that makes most of my students elect to enroll in a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course in the first place! In conclusion, what have we learned? That the NHTSA has a (possibly) inflammatory report which might help them boost their budget (slightly) to launch a public awareness campaign promoting motorcycle safety. A report which they release in advance to the media -- for no good reason (what is *secret* here? nothing!). While I'm all for increased awareness of motorcycle safety and motorcycling, I do not want it to rest on a foundation of shoddy reporting, inept research, and fear-mongering. And I really *really* dislike the media having their paws on a publicly-funded report well in advance of those who paid for it (taxpayers) or those who might, actually, know how to interpret it (motorcyclists). Kathy E. Gill 1075 Bellevue Way NE #314 Bellevue WA 98004 mailto:kathy@motogrrl.com cc: Sen. Patty Murray Sen. Maria Cantwell Rep. Jennifer Dunn Sen. John McCain, chair, Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Rep. Don Young, chair, Committee on Transporation and Infrastructure Rep. Brian Baird, WA, member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rep. Rick Larsen, WA, member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary of Transportation Eugene Taylor, CIO, Department of Transportation [1] http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/announce/nhtsanow/v6.10/nnow6_10.htm |
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