Motorcycles kill more US troops than Taliban

[Ming the Merciless]

Since 9/11, more American troops have died in off-duty motorcycle accidents than fighting in Afghanistan. Nearly 350 GIs have died on bikes since the 2001 terrorist attacks compared with 259 killed while serving in Afghanistan, according to safety records kept by each service.

The number who die in crashes each year - nearly all in the US - has more than doubled since 2001, hitting new levels in 2005. Nearly 1,000 more have been injured, draining power when the Pentagon needs every soldier.

Full report here: http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/396791.html

[BaZa ®]

A sad fact.

[Ming the Merciless]

It's really difficult to talk about road safety to bikers without

a) preaching
b) looking like a spoilsport

But whilst I regularly defend motorcycling and motorcyclists from ill-informed criticism by non-bikers, it is true that riders are far more likely to die or be seriously injured than cage drivers.

Most accidents occur when TWO or more contributory factors coincide e.g. excess speed + pothole or low tyre pressures + arsehole - you get my drift? We can reduce risk by eliminating those factors within our control, so then we only have to look out for those things outside our control.

My point is - take care guys and gals - leave loony riding to Dominos Pizza deliver boys!

[banquo]

According to something I read in the Enthusiast (or one of those Moco things that comes through the post) alcohol was a factor in a huge percentage of motorcycle fatalities, which is another sad fact.
This is even more of a problem in the US, where drink driving is still commonplace in many areas, more so than here IMHO...

[Harleyfatboy7]

I did read somewhere that 10-15% of fatal accidents involve drink .... surely that means its safer to drive Pi**ed up, rather than be in the 85-90% that havent had a drink

[Phil]

Originally Posted by banquo

According to something I read in the Enthusiast (or one of those Moco things that comes through the post) alcohol was a factor in a huge percentage of motorcycle fatalities, which is another sad fact.
This is even more of a problem in the US, where drink driving is still commonplace in many areas, more so than here IMHO...

Sad but true, even though the penalties here are hideous for drunk driving, it is still a huge problem.