MOTORCYCLE BRAKING AND ITS INFLUENCE ON SEVERITY OF INJURY

At first glance there seems to be no correlation between braking and injuries, but an in-depth study of fatal motorcycle collisions reveals the cause of accident to be incorrect braking. Modern motorcycles have excellent brakes but the driver is often overtaxed in pre-accident situations. There is a great risk that even an experienced driver will overbrake the front wheel due to the stress situation. As an investigation of 613 motorcycle collisions with cars shows, the only solution to this problem is to equip motorcycles with antilock braking systems (ABS). The reconstruction and practical analysis of these cases and a collaboration with the University of Darmstadt showed the different braking parameters, reduced braking distance and increased stability. The study also demonstrates the influence of different motorcycle and driver movement during the impact with or without a fall after emergency braking. This has a direct effect on the type of injuries suffered. Secondary safety elements of the motorcycle are greatly reduced if the motorcycle driver falls prior to the collision. Finally a list of proposals is presented for optimizing motorcycle braking systems. A theoretical presupposition for positive influence by ABS is given in more than 50% of all motorcycle accidents. In more than 90% of all accidents involving a fall prior to the collision, an ABS system could have completely prevented the fall. This would result in a substantial reduction of serious and fatal injuries to motorcycle drivers.