Effectiveness of Antilock Braking Systems in Reducing Motorcycle Fatal Crash Rates

Abstract

Objective: Overbraking and underbraking have been shown to be common factors in motorcycle crashes. Antilock braking systems (ABS) prevent wheels from locking during braking and may make riders less reluctant to apply full braking force. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ABS in fatal motorcycle crashes.

Methods: Motorcycle drivers involved in fatal crashes per 10,000 registered vehicle years were compared for 13 motorcycle models with optional ABS and those same models without the option during 2003–2008. Motorcycles with optional ABS were included only if the presence of the option could be identified from the vehicle identification number.

Results: The rate of fatal motorcycle crashes per 10,000 registered vehicle years was 37 percent lower for ABS models than for their non-ABS versions.

Conclusion: ABS appears to be highly effective in preventing fatal motorcycle crashes based on some early adopters of motorcycle ABS technology.

Keywords:

• Motorcycles
• Crashes
• Antilock braking system
• Combined braking systems
• Wheel lock
• Insurance claims

Acknowledgments

Motorcycle VINs were decoded by Marvin Campbell of the Highway Loss Data Institute, which created and currently maintains the database used to decode these VINs. Anne T. McCartt, Charles M. Farmer, and Adrian K. Lund of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as well as two anonymous reviewers, contributed comments and suggestions that improved this study. This work was supported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.