Increase in Fatalities

For motorcycles, that is. Trouble is, that does include scooters too, without breaking out numbers for scooter deaths.

There's extra interest in Florida, and here's why:



The reason for concern looks pretty clear on the chart. Some people say the increase in deaths is all because this state repealed its helmet law in 2000. But then again, sales of motorcycles and scooters have increased a lot since 2000, thanks in part to TV shows like American Chopper and Biker Build-off, which seemingly make everyone want to go out and hop on an impractical and expensive custom chopper.

Sales of new motorcycles in the U.S. in 2000: 710,000. Sales in 2004 (est.): More than 1 million. If you add up the yearly numbers, you'll see that 4.547 million new bikes hit the road in five years.

And then there is the other thing the chart makes clear: There are fewer deaths among bikers who have the motorcycle certification on their driver's license.

Look at it. 71 percent vs. 21 percent in Florida. 37 percent vs. 13 percent nationally. What difference does that motorcycle certification (MC) make? The rider had to pass a test. The rider had to prove that he or she knew how to control the bike.

Uh huh.

So now Florida is talking about making a training course manadatory for all motorcyclists. I'm not sure how they intend to enforce that, though -- obviously, tons of people are riding in Florida without the MC, and that is required by law in this state.