By now, the unusual feel of anti-lock braking systems (ABS) is very familiar to most motorists; the systems are required equipment for all cars and light trucks manufactured in 2012 or later. In fact, ABS is also required for trucks and buses manufactured on or after March 1, 1999. Knowing the added safety provided by the systems, each Los Angeles accident lawyer at our firm questions why they are not required for motorcycles.

Studies Show That ABS Saves Lives

While it may seem logical that stopping motorcycles would be easier than stopping a car, any biker can attest to the fact that quick stops are difficult and dangerous, largely because one or both wheels often lock up during sudden stops. According to an online brochure published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, studies show that anti-lock braking systems (ABS) offer the following safety benefits:

• Reduced test track stopping distance: Regardless of whether test tracks were wet or dry, experienced and inexperienced motorcyclists stopped more quickly when they had antilock brakes.
• Fewer crash claims: Based on insurance claim data, ABS-equipped motorcycles result in 20 percent fewer claims than bikes without the equipment.
• Significantly lower fatality rate: A model-to-model comparison of motorcycles with and without ABS showed a 31 percent lower fatality rate among riders using ABS-equipped models.

The risk of injury increases with more powerful motorcycles, which is why the European Parliament approved anti-lock brake requirements that become effective this year for motorcycles with engines that exceed 125 cubic centimeters. While no such requirement currently exists within the U.S., the systems have a chance of becoming standard equipment on new models simply because motorcycle manufacturers need to gear up for European requirements.

The Need for Sudden Stops is Common Among Bikers

Motorcycles are certainly not new to the roads, but it seems that many motorists still do not understand how best to co-exist with motorcycles. Even when traffic conditions are near-perfect, bikers cannot always stop in time when a vehicle in front brakes suddenly — or if an unexpected road condition requires a sudden stop.

Motorcyclists should take advantage of every available safety feature; however, even ABS-equipped bikes cannot prevent every accident caused by a negligent motorist or even a poorly-maintained road.

The motorcycle accident attorneys at The Rudman Law Firm understand the numerous risks that bikers face every day when sharing the roads with other motorists. In the event of injuries, call us at (844) 478-3626 / (844) 4RUDMAN, at our Los Angeles office at (213) 375-3777 or at our Studio City office (818) 769-6969.