New Data Reinforces The Need For ABS Systems For All Motorcycles

If you’re thinking about riding a motorcycle there are a lot of things to consider.  You want to learn the right way to ride and find the perfect bike that is comfortable for you.  You will want to like the way it looks and decide whether you’ll be taking your bike on a long cruise or a short commute.  Then you can think about all of the exciting ways you’ll be able to enjoy the open road.

One thing you may not consider is the type of braking system that your bike will come with.  In fact, that may not be something that ever crosses your mind.  Lucky for you there are people who are studying and advocating for antilock braking systems (ABS) for all motorcycles manufactured and sold in the United States.

Antilock braking systems are used on motorcycles to help prevent sliding and fishtailing.  When a rider brakes hard without ABS she/he can be sent out of control and it can result in a Connecticut motorcycle accident.  With ABS the effects of braking are altered leaving the rider more in control and safer as they come to a complete stop. 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) began advocating for ABS to be included in all motorcycles throughout the United States over a decade ago.  The IIHS believed, and backed up with data, that ABS on motorcycles would help prevent injury and death for riders throughout the U.S..  The organization at the time called for a federal mandate for all manufacturers.  This did not come to fruition but the advocacy of the group has led to nearly half of all motorcycles that are sold to date in the U.S. having ABS included as a standard safety measures.

The advocacy of the group did not stop at the shores of the U.S. either as many countries around the world including those in the European Union (EU) have mandated that this type of braking system be included on motorcycles.

When the idea of a federal mandate was first introduced by the IIHS in 2003, few models and motorcycle types were included in the test data so it was not seen as an urgent need.  Newer data recently presented included a far wider cross section of bikes and found similar results to the 2003 study.  This study, which looked at 65 different motorcycle models, found that those equipped with ABS were 22% less likely to be in a fatal motorcycle crash than those without the system.  This is compelling data that the IIHS has presented to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with no federal mandate yet on the books.    A Connecticut motorcycle accident can result in a fatality whether you have ABS or not, so it is important to drive the speed limit, follow all posted signs, and wear a helmet to keep yourself safe and limit your potential for serious injury.  If you are injured, you may need an attorney to review your case.  Contact our office immediately.