4.1 Communications and Outreach: Protective and Conspicuous Clothing
Motorcycle riders should wear clothing that provides both protection and visibility. FMVSS 218 helmets (Chapter 5, Sections 2.1-2.3) with face shields protect the eyes from wind and foreign objects in addition to protecting the head in a crash. Well-constructed jackets, pants, boots, and gloves can prevent abrasions and bruises. If made of impact-resistant material, they even may prevent arm and leg fractures or serious torso and spinal cord injuries (NHTSA, 2000a, Personal Protective Equipment). A common cause of motorcycle crashes involving other vehicles is that other vehicle drivers do not see the motorcycle. This observation is reported anecdotally and confirmed in motorcycle crash causation studies (NCHRP, under review, Strategy E2; NHTSA, 2000a, Conspicuity). One easy way to increase motorcycle conspicuity is through lighted headlights. Most motorcycles on the road have their headlights always on, because m ost motorcycles manufactured since 1979 have this feature (NCHRP, under review, Strategy E2) and because 24 States require daytime headlight use for all motorcycles manufactured since 1980 (MSF, 2004). A second way to increase conspicuity is to wear brightly colored clothing (for increased visibility during daylight) incorporating some retro-reflective material (for increased visibility at night). Recent studies confirm that motorcyclists wearing conspicuous clothing or helmets are less likely to be involved in a crash (NCHRP, under review, Strategy E1). There is no data on how many motorcycle riders wear various types of protective clothing other than helmets. Only a minority wears brightly colored clothing (NHTSA, 2000a, Conspicuity); in fact, the predominant color of motorcycle clothing is black (NCHRP, under review, Strategy E1). Helmet manufacturers and distributors report that more than half the helmets sold for street use are black (NCHRP, under review, Strategy E1). Communications and outreach campaigns promoting protective and conspicuous clothing have been conducted by States and by motorcyclist organizations. NCHRP (under review, Strategy E1) provides examples of material from Oregon and the MSF and references to additional material from the SMSA, the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, and the Motorcycle Council of New South Wales, Australia . Use: The number of States that conduct campaigns to promote protective and conspicuous clothing for motorcycle riders is not known. Effectiveness: There are no evaluations of the effectiveness of campaigns to increase the use of protective and conspicuous clothing (NCHRP, under review, Strategy E1). Costs: Good communications and outreach campaigns can be expensive to develop and implement: see Chapter 2, Section 3.1. Material promoting protective and conspicuous clothing are available from various sources including MSF, other motorcyclist organizations, and States that have conducted these campaigns (NCHRP, under review, Strategy E1). Time to implement: A good campaign, including market research, message development and testing, and implementation, will require at least six months to plan and implement. |
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