• 04
  • October
    2011

Motorcycle accidents in Wisconsin have resulted in 62 deaths this year as of last month. This is approximately 16 fewer deaths than at this point last year. State Department of Transportation officials point to a motorcycle driver education program they operate in an effort to help decrease the number of motorcycle accidents and fatalities.

The program is called Transportable High-End Rider Education Facility (THE REF), which has been in place since August 2010. The Department started the program using approximately $300,000 in federal funds, according to the Green Bay Press Gazette. The equipment purchased provides a mobile classroom in which the technology simulates motorcycle riding, providing safety lessons helpful for both experienced motorcyclists and new riders.

Those who visit the classroom are invited to take interactive tests, use one of two motorcycle ride simulation units, or examine demonstration motorcycles.

This year, the mobile classroom will visit approximately 60 locations around the state to promote motorcycle riding safety. The apparatus is apparently moved around on a hauler linked to a Ford F-450.

Current state law does not have any special motorcycle safety training requirement for motorcyclists over the age of 18. Statistics available show that around 80 percent of all motorcycle riders have no formal training on riding and also that approximately 20 percent of all motorcycle riders aren't even licensed.

State officials are hoping that the availability of THE REF program will help to raise safety awareness and provide safety tips to motorcyclists, which will reduce both accidents and fatalities. They think that the absence of formal training is sometimes a factor in causing motorcycle accidents.

As the program provides training for more motorcyclists, the state is keeping records for those who go through the training for the purpose of trying to track whether such motorcyclists are involved in fewer accidents than untrained riders.

Source: Green Bay Press Gazette, "Wisconsin motorcycle safety program helps reduce crash deaths," Steve Contorno, Sept. 3, 2011