Everyone reads about the technological safety advances for
automobiles. Car accidents become less
likely everyday. Four states, one of
which is
Jones v. Harley-Davidson
According to the complaint, Mark Jones was driving and his wife was the passenger on their 2012 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Classic. The negligent driver of a car cut into the Jones’ lane forcing Mark to make an emergency stop. The wheels of the bike locked up causing a fishtail which flung Jones and his wife for a significant distance. Both Mark and his wife, Pamela, suffered skull fractures, brain injuries and other broken bones.
The couple sued Harley-Davidson for failing to offer ABS brakes on model which they had purchased. Harley offered anti-lock brakes on some of its other models, as ABS brakes on motorcycles is a technology that is roughly 40 years old. In fact, other manufacturers of motorcycles such as BMW have the ABS brakes standard on all new motorcycles.
Should Anti-Lock Brakes be Required on All Motorcycles?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Data Institute strongly advocates for use of the technology in all new motorcycles. In fact, the IIHS, has put out the following video on the benefits of ABS on motorcycles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0fd6LSk3U4
Obviously, in emergency situations when a rider is
completely locking up, anti-lock braking systems may save lives. Studies indicate that riders with ABS are 20%
less likely to be involved in any crash and 31% less likely to be involved in a
fatal crash. All motorcycles
manufactured in
Why Riders are Resistant to ABS
It makes for lazy, less qualified riders. Riders with ABS should still learn how to properly brake a motorcycle with the correct amount of braking control in the front and rear wheels. The argument by the riders resistant to ABS being installed on motorcycles is that new riders will learn on bikes with the ABS technology and will not learn how to properly brake their motorcycle.
How ABS on Motorcycles Works
The ABS on a motorcycle works by constantly monitoring the speed of the wheels. This is accomplished by the use of a small grooved ring near the brake disc called a tone wheel. The wheel speed sensor sends the tone wheel readings to the ABS unit, which can determine whether the wheel is about to stop rotating or lock up. If it is, the wheel speed information is used to adjust the pressure from the brake cylinder on the brake caliper multiple times per second. These adjustments in pressure allow the motorcycle to stop without locking the wheels and maintaining maximum traction.
Should All Motorcycles Come With ABS
I am not advocating for all motorcycles to come with anti-locking braking technology standard, but like the Jones, I believe that it should be an option on all models. Prospective buyers who wish to have ABS on their new motorcycles can purchase the option and those riders that do not want it are not forced to have it installed on their new bike. This would allow riders who are skilled and comfortable with motorcycles without ABS could continue to purchase such bikes and those riders that wanted the option could purchase it.
Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Lawyer at The Law Offices of Bobby Jones
Have you or a loved one been injured in a motorcycle accident? Contact an experienced
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle
accident caused by the negligence of another, you should immediately call an
experienced personal injury attorney in
The Law Offices of Bobby Jones
6570 30th
Avenue North
http://bobbyjoneslaw.com/personal-injury/"
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