Motorcycle defects on motorcycle safety in Thailand

Abstract

This paper presents a review of past research works that examined factors affecting motorcycle safety, focusing on: human errors, infrastructure defects, vehicle defects and their interaction which contribute to motorcycle crashes, with the aim of highlighting the need for more research on the effect of motorcycle defects safety. Overview of the global motorcycle crash situation was conducted using data and various information sources. Non-English publications on motorcyclists and motorcycles were consulted. Sources of motorcycle accident information in Thailand included those of the Royal Thai Police, Department of Land Transport, and Road Accident Victims Protection. Key words used in the search included motorcycle safety, motorcycle crash/accident, motorcycle stability/balance, motorcycle defects, and motorcyclist. The results show that human errors, speeding, alcohol impairment, disregard of traffic laws, and inexperience are the most common factors involved in a motorcycle crash. Although vehicle defects such as defective components played a relatively small part of all the factors affecting motorcycle crash, but the effect was significant and increasing. One finding was clear from the review, very few research works have been done on the mechanism of motorcycle crashes due to motorcycle defects, especially those involving light weight motorcycle (101-125 cc) which is the most popular model in Thailand. Thus the study of the influence of the motorcycle and its components on a crash is needed. The outcomes of the research will help identify safer motorcycle components, including betters tire size, anti-lock braking system, crash bar, stability control system, and personal protective equipment.