There was a time when I had access to Pennsylvania crash records. Here is the summary of a five year crash analysis I did. I first started this inquiry to show how many motorcycle crashes were caused by left turning drivers. Why? Because everything I have read on motorcycle sites told me that was the most prevalent cause of motorcycle crashes. The actual data showed me otherwise.
2008-2012 Pa Motorcycle crashes - 19,636
Single unit crashes - 10,098
Multi Unit crashes - 9,538
Multi Unit Crash Breakdown by prime factor in Crash
Multi Unit crashes - 9,538
Other Unit as Prime factor - 5,328 (55.9%)
Motorcycle as prime factor - 3,830 (40.2%)
Others: Pedestrians, vehicle failure, Unknown Unit, Environmental -380 (3.9%)
Summary:
10,098 Single unit crashes
3,830 Multi unit crashes where motorcycle was prime factor in crash.
Total 13,928 Motorcycle Crashes that the motorcyclist had the ability to prevent.
13,928/19,636 = 70.9% of all motorcycle crashes in PA over five years the motorcyclist was the prime factor.
5,328 Multi unit crashes with other unit as Prime factor in crash.
5,328/19,636 = 27% of all motorcycle crashes in PA over five years the other unit was the prime factor.
Watch for motorcycle signs send a great message .... that address 27% of our crashes. Only we can address the 70.9%.