Motorcycle Brake Lights Have Connecticut Drivers 'Seeing Red'
Tuesday April 22, 12:49 pm ET
New Allstate Survey Finds That Drivers Make It Difficult To Be An Easy Rider


FARMINGTON, Conn., April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Having overcome another Connecticut winter, Nutmeg State residents are looking forward to hitting the road for all kinds of outdoor activities this spring and summer. But, if half the fun is in getting there, the state's car drivers won't be having too much of it. A new poll reveals that car drivers wish they didn't have to share the road with motorcycle riders. And most bikers, in turn, want car drivers to be more careful on the road.
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According to the online survey of licensed Connecticut drivers, conducted by Directive Analytics on behalf of Allstate, if the state's car drivers had their druthers, about one in four would have bikers banned from highways and parkways. And nearly half said bikers should not be allowed on roadways altogether in inclement weather.

Why the animosity? Because Connecticut car drivers consider motorcycles unsafe. Eighty percent of respondents thought motorcycles are more dangerous or much more dangerous than other vehicles. One in five, in fact, said they have come close to hitting a biker. Illustrating just how anti-motorcycle they are, 75 percent of drivers said they would not let their child ride one.

But, the gripes aren't just on the part of motorists. The survey reveals that bikers overwhelmingly (80 percent) thought they were safer on the road than car drivers, stating that car drivers are careless and don't pay attention to what's going on around them. Bikers also found car drivers to be aggressive, trying to cut riders off, as well as impatient, tending to tailgate cyclists.

"Whether we prefer four wheels or two, we all have preconceived notions, and perhaps even strong opinions, about other drivers -- but these opinions should never get the better of us while we are in our vehicles," said Andrea Short, Allstate Field Product Manager. "Particularly now as the warmer weather approaches and heavy traffic re-emerges, all drivers should be careful and cognizant of fellow drivers at all times so we may share the roadways safely this spring season."

Regardless of opinions, fatal accident statistics are a grim reminder that all drivers must remain vigilant about safety. According to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of 117 people died each day in motor vehicle crashes in 2006 -- one every 12 minutes. Specifically, motorcycle rider fatalities have increased by 89 percent from 1997 to 2004 and fatalities continue to increase each year.

Bikers: Look Out!

Allstate suggests bikers take a quick glance at whom they are riding next to. According to the survey, nearly 60 percent of men said they have come close to hitting a motorcycle while driving.

In terms of location, bikers might want to stay clear of Hartford. Hartford was the city with the most drivers who have admitted to coming close to hitting a motorcycle (one in four). New Haven was number two, followed by Bridgeport, Waterbury, Danbury and Stamford.

'Do As I Say, Not As I Do'

But bikers seem to take a 'do as I say, not as I do' position on riding. One in three of those polled who wouldn't want their child to ride a motorcycle are actually motorcycle riders themselves! Furthermore, half of bikers actually think motorcycles are dangerous. Although most bikers consider themselves safer than car drivers, the survey shows that about one in three never received training on how to ride a motorcycle safely.

"To ensure everyone keeps an eye on safety, we recommend that all drivers know the basics of sharing the road with motorcycles," said Short. "But even with the best preparation, accidents do occur. Purchasing motorcycle insurance can help protect you and your family's way of life -- not just for today, but down the road as well."


Driving Tips from Allstate and the NHTSA
For bikers:
-- Protect yourself -- Choose gear that will increase your visibility in
addition to providing protection in the event of a crash. Always wear a
helmet that fits right. Pick one that has the DOT label, which shows
that it meets federal safety standards.

-- Keep control -- Know your bike's limits. Stick to the speed limit. Use
your signals. Brake smart by using both brakes at the same time, slow
and steady.

-- Know the road -- Watch for hazardous road conditions such as potholes,
wet leaves, railroad tracks and other road obstructions.

-- Make sure other drivers can see you -- Never share a lane with a car.
Don't ride in blind spots or tailgate, and always use your headlights.

-- Be respectful of other drivers -- Don't weave through traffic or drive
on the shoulder.


For car drivers:
-- Motorcycles are small and may be difficult to see -- Remember that
bikers are often hidden in a vehicle's blind spot or missed in a quick
look due to their smaller size. Always check your mirrors and blind
spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at
intersections.

-- Allow the biker a full lane width -- Although it may seem as though
there is enough room in the traffic lane for an automobile and a
motorcycle, remember the motorcycle needs the room to maneuver safely.
Do not share the lane.

-- Allow more following distance -- Leaving more space can give bikers
time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. In dry conditions bikers can
stop more quickly than cars.

-- Always use your signals -- This allows the biker to anticipate traffic
flow and find a safe lane position. Don't be fooled by a flashing turn
signal on a motorcycle, motorcycle signals usually are not
self-cancelling and bikers sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to
be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed.

-- Be aware of road conditions -- Minor annoyances to you may pose major
hazards to bikers. Bikers may change speed or adjust their position
suddenly in reaction to road and traffic conditions such as potholes,
gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad crossings,
and grooved pavement.


About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL - News) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 exclusive agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. Encompass® and Deerbrook® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.


Additional Allstate Motorcycle Survey Findings

Perceptions of Bikers Vary by City
-- The survey revealed some differences in perceptions among bikers from
the various Connecticut metro areas. Nine out of 10 bikers in the
Bridgeport-Norwalk-Greenwich and Danbury-Waterbury areas said they
thought car drivers are careless and don't pay attention to what's
going on around them. But only 60 percent of bikers in the Hartford-New
Britain-West Hartford areas feel this way about car drivers.

-- More than 40 percent of bikers who live in the New Haven and
Danbury-Waterbury areas said car drivers are aggressive and try to cut
off bikers, while less than 16 percent in the
Bridgeport-Norwalk-Greenwich areas agree.

-- Nearly half of those in the Danbury-Waterbury areas say they feel car
drivers are impatient and tend to tailgate bikers, but less than 16
percent in the Bridgeport-Norwalk-Greenwich areas feel this way.


Men Versus Women
-- According to the survey, of those who ride motorcycles in Connecticut,
30 percent are women. This is compared to the national average of only
9 percent (American Motorcyclist Association).

-- The survey revealed women were much more likely than men to become
nervous near a biker.


Difficulty for Car Drivers Seeing Bikers
-- Two out of three drivers say they have the most difficulty seeing
bikers in heavy traffic, as well as on highways; one in three drivers
said it's most difficult to see bikers at dusk.


Reckless
-- The poll reveals that more than one in five respondents thought bikers
cause more accidents than other vehicles. The majority of these people
said bikers' recklessness was the main reason they caused more
accidents.


No Insurance
-- Although motorcycle insurance is mandatory in Connecticut, not
optional, nearly 13 percent of bikers said they do NOT have a
motorcycle insurance policy. The overwhelming reason bikers said they
don't have insurance was that they do not ride the bike often enough.


Most Bikers
-- According to the survey, the Hartford metro area has the most bikers
with nearly 30 percent.


*Details of the various Connecticut metro areas as well as the counties are available upon request.



Contacts: Brett Ludwig
(610) 251-3480
Jennifer Thomas
(973) 316-1665