Gasoline Prices and Their Relationship to Rising Motorcycle Fatalities, 1990-2007
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
American Journal of Public Health
ISSN
0090-0036
Volume
99
Issue
10
DOI
10.2105/AJPH.2009.159590
First Page
1753
Last Page
1758
Publication Date
October 2009
Abstract
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among young adults. Although automobile fatalities have declined in recent years, motorcycle fatalities are rapidly increasing. The purpose of our research was to quantify the relationship between changing fuel prices and motorcycle fatalities. Our findings suggest that people increasingly rely on motorcycles to reduce their fuel costs in response to rising gasoline prices. We estimate that use of motorcycles and scooters instead of 4-wheeled vehicles results in over 1500 additional motorcycle fatalities annually for each dollar increase in gas prices. Motorcycle safety should receive more attention as a leading public health issue.
Recommended Citation
Fernando A. Wilson, Jim P. Stimpson, Peter E. Hilsenrath, “Gasoline Prices and Their Relationship to Rising Motorcycle Fatalities, 1990–2007”, American Journal of Public Health 99, no. 10 (October 1, 2009): pp. 1753-1758. DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.159590
