on the road again… - South Dakota Rides

ON THE ROAD AGAIN…
NEWSLETTER OF THE SOUTH DAKOTA MOTORCYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM
4
APRIL 2013
In This Issue:
COMING SOON!
-SMARTrainer Information
-NHTSA Motorcycle Program Summary
- 2012 Rider Training Wrap-Up
2012 Preliminary MC Crash Data
-New Campaigns
You will soon be able to practice motorcycle riding skills and discover what happens when
you make the choice to drink and ride without even getting on a ‘real’ motorcycle. The
South Dakota Office of Highway Safety has purchased three motorcycle simulator units,
SMARTrainer, that will be used in conjunction with rider training classes, safety conferences,
motorcycle events, community/school presentations, and much more!
The SMARTrainer compliments and reinforces the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s SEE
strategy for managing risk: Search, Evaluate, Execute. Novice riders, RiderCourse graduates,
and even experienced riders can all practice in realistic traffic situations that require the
operator to evaluate and address traffic hazards—in a risk-free and safe environment—
while using the same motorcycle control functions as an actual motorcycle. Even car drivers
can benefit from the situational awareness lessons provided by the SMARTrainer. Under the
guidance of certified trainers, the SMARTrainer becomes a powerful teaching tool. Rider
gain valuable feedback for the choices they make on the road which helps them identify
areas where they can improve their decision-making abilities.
NHTSA Motorcycle Safety
Program Guidelines:
This year, each issue of “On the Road
Again” will include a brief summary of
one of the Uniform Guidelines for
Motorcycle Safety Programs (by the
National
Highway
Transportation
Safety
Administration).
These
summaries will provide information to
help both riders and non-riders better
understand how the South Dakota
Motorcycle Safety Program is working
to help improve safety of motorcyclists
on our roadways.
Some of the applications that will be used to enhance the Motorcycle Safety and Awareness
programs in South Dakota are:

Novice riders may assess their level of judgment before entering real-life traffic.
Depending on the rider’s ability to navigate the scenarios, it is possible that a rider may
come to learn that motorcycling is not a good choice. On the other hand, a novice rider
may develop his/her skills and become more confident before entering into real-life
traffic. Additionally, novice riders may use these learning experiences to help him/her
make a more appropriate choice in purchasing a motorcycle that more closely matches
skill level.

Returning riders, and riders whose skills may have become dormant for lack of use,
may find the learning experience helpful in becoming reacquainted with how to
navigate traffic situations more effectively and safely.

Experienced riders may assess their skills in different types of courses and under more
adverse environmental conditions and speeds.

Use in conjunction with “drunk goggles” for an impaired riding-prevention program.
If you’re interested in bringing a SMARTrainer to your location, class, or event, please
contact our office.
118 West Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
605.773.4949 office • 605.773.6893 fax
http://southdakotarides.com
4
APRIL 2013
2012: SD MOTORCYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM
RIDER EDUCATION PROGRAM:
-
1806 TOTAL STUDENTS TRAINED IN THE BRC
92 TOTAL STUDENTS TRAINED IN THE ERC
302 TOTAL RIDER TRAINING CLASSES HELD THROUGHOUT SOUTH DAKOTA
2.3% INCREASE FROM 2011 IN TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS TRAINED
ND
2012 REPRESENTED THE 2 BEST YEAR OF TRAINING ON RECORD!!
PRELIMINARY MOTORCYCLE CRASH DATA:
-
25 MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES
78.6% INCREASE FROM 2011 IN MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES
60% OF MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES WERE NON-SOUTH DAKOTA RESIDENTS
4 FATALITIES WERE MOTORCYCLE PASSENGERS
92% OF RIDER KILLED DID NOT WEAR A HELMET
40% OF MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES INVOLVED ALCOHOL
36% OF MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES INVOLVED EXCESSIVE SPEED
64% OF MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES WERE CAUSED BY THE MOTORCYCLIST’S FAILURE TO
NEGOTIATE CURVES AND/OR FOLLOW ROADWAY LAWS
8.5% OF TOTAL REGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLES IN SOUTH DAKOTA ARE MOTORCYCLES
24.3% OF TOTAL MOTOR VEHICLE FATALITIES IN SOUTH DAKOTA WERE MOTORCYCLISTS
488 TOTAL MOTORCYCLE CRASHES
45.5 YEARS OF AGE: AVERAGE AGE OF MOTORCYCLISTS KILLED ON SD ROADWAYS
2013 South Dakota Motorcycle Safety Program Preview
- New laptops, projectors and speakers for RiderCoaches to enhance BRC/ERC.
-SouthDakotaRides.com now has even more great information including safety and
training videos, motorcycle safety quiz, and new transportation information.
-Accident Scene Management training, specific to motorcyclists, for law enforcement;
-Certified Motorcycle Examiner training opportunities for SD Driver License Examiners;
3-Wheel instructor/coach training;
-Additional training motorcycles for BRC;
-Flat-bed trailers to haul motorcycles to remote sites;
-Rider training/attitudes/riding habits data study;
-Advertising campaigns for training and awareness
RIDING SHAPE?
As the weather starts to warm and
thoughts of long relaxing rides begins to
creep into thought, remember that
you’re probably not in the same ‘riding
shape’ that you were at the end of the
previous riding season. A good start to
improving your ‘riding fitness’ is to
develop a basic cardio routine.
Walking, running, swimming, and cycling
are great ways to increase endurance
and strength and also tone muscles.
Having quality, toned muscles and
increased endurance will help you
maneuver your bike with more ease.
Improving general fitness will help
reduce aches and pains associated with
long rides.
During the course of a ride, almost every
muscle in the body will come into play at
some point. Increasing joint and muscle
strength, stamina, and body posture will
help you prepare yourself, physically, so
you are able to enjoy a longer, pain-free,
riding season.
4
BASIC RIDER COURSE INCENTIVE PROGRAM
APRIL 2013
APRIL 2013
In order to attract additional new motorcyclists to take advantage of Basic Rider Courses this year, the South Dakota
Office of Highway Safety is providing a $50 safety gear gift certificate to the first 2000 BRC graduates. This gift
certificate can be used toward the purchase of motorcycle safety gear: leather/full-fingered riding gloves, DOT-certified
helmet, or goggles/other eye protection.
Motorcycle dealerships from across South Dakota are participating in this promotional program and we encourage you
to join with the SDOHS in thanking them for their assistance and support of this project.
Participating Dealerships:
KlockWerks Custom Cycles (Mitchell)
Black Hills Powersports (Rapid City)
Biegler’s C & S Motorsports (Aberdeen)
Yankton Motorsports (Yankton)
Petersen Motors (Pierre)
MidAmerica Motoplex (Sioux Falls)
J-L Harley Davidson (Sioux Falls)
Dakota Motorsports (Ft. Pierre)
Honda of Mitchell (Mitchell)
Sturgis Motorsports (Sturgis)
Interlakes Sports Center (Madison)
Rice Honda-Suzuki-Victory (Rapid City)
Glacial Lakes Harley Davidson (Watertown)
The Motorcycle Shop (Watertown)
NHTSA MOTORCYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM GUIDELINES
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT: Each State should have centralized
program planning, implementation, and coordination to identify
the nature and extent of its motorcycle safety problems, to
establish goals and objectives, and to implement projects to reach
the goals and objectives.
1. Designate a lead agency for motorcycle safety;
2. Develop and sustain funding sources;
3. Collect and analyze data on motorcycle crashes, injuries and
fatalities;
4. Identify and prioritize motorcycle safety problem areas;
5. Collaborate with other agencies and organizations responsible
for, or impacted by, motorcycle safety issues;
6. Coordinate motorcycle safety programs with those for the
general motoring public;
7. Integrate motorcycle safety into the Strategic Highway Safety
Plans and other related
highway safety activities; and
.
8. Routinely evaluate motorcycle safety programs and services.
POLICE MOTORCYCLE COURSE
New Police Motorcycle Officers: 80 hour course (April 29- May 10)
Police Motorcycle Refresher: 16 hour course (June 3-4 or June 5-6)
For more information, or to register, please contact:
Lt. Jerome Miller, Traffic Lieutenant at [email protected]
“Where It Didn’t Happen”
The Choice Is Yours…
Motorcyclists are passionate about choice. Sometimes the dynamics we often
see in heated debates regarding choice often present us from making informed
decisions about what is right for each of us. Some guidelines to follow in
determining what choices are good, and bad, for you—personally:
 Learn what you can about the topic;
 Locate reliable data;
 Evaluate information;
 Decide which aspects are important to you;
 Stick to the facts; and
 Make your own informed choice.
BE AN INFORMED RIDER
It was a perfect day for a motorcycle
ride.
Dusk.
th
10 and Main.
That’s where it happened.
Where a driver…looked left, right…then
left again.
Where a motorcycle hit the brakes… and
stopped just in time.
It’s where an accident didn’t happen.
Drivers, watch for motorcycles. Bikers,
ride defensively.
One look can save a life.
GEAR UP!
Whether it’s your first ride…

Or your tenth summer in the saddle…

Everyone can be a better, safer biker.

Gear Up for motorcycle season by registering for a basic or
experienced rider training course online at
http://southdakotarides.com
The first 2000 graduating students will receive a $50 gift certificate to use
toward the purchase of motorcycle safety gear.
http://southdakotarides.com