Motorcyclists have never had it easy on the roads; drivers who don’t see them can hit them and cause serious or fatal injuries. The motorcycles themselves don’t offer protection against being hit, and the weight of a vehicle against a human body can be devastating. Even if the motorcyclist is thrown, hitting the ground at a high speed can result in broken bones, traumatic brain injuries and other injuries that need to be covered by the negligent driver’s insurance coverage.
What’s also concerning is this: As the ages of motorcyclists grow, the rate of injury increases rapidly. Findings have shown that there is an increase in the number of male motorcycle riders getting injured or killed on the roads.
How are riders affected as they age?
Results from looking at data show that older riders are more likely to be involved in accidents than younger riders. This has to do with an older rider’s changes in physical and cognitive abilities, which can make it harder for the rider to quickly move out of the way or make quick decisions.
Aren’t teens and young adults the most at risk for accidents?
Interestingly, the evidence shows that it’s older riders who need to have accident prevention counseling by health care providers and others. As it is now, those who are over 50 who have to be hospitalized must receive more aggressive treatments and stay in the hospital longer than others who are under the age of 50. They also tend to suffer more severe injuries and have an increased risk of injuries in a collision.
Source: BC Medical Journal, “Rise in injury rates for older male motorcyclists: An emerging medical and public health concern,” Mariana Brussoni, PhD, Kendra Wong, BA, Genevieve Creighton, PhD, Lise Olsen, RN, PhD, accessed March 04, 2016
