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The Statistics Portal reported for 2014 (latest available data) that in a state-by-state comparison, Florida, with 558,123, had the second largest number of publically-owned, private and commercial motorcycles registered in the U.S. As motorcycling is such a popular form of transportation across the country, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is very active. 

In a December 2016 statement, the AMA demanded that it be included in the discussion, planning and implementation of the policies and regulations governing the rollout of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) vehicle-to-vehicle communications technology. 

There are concerns which motorcyclists have, namely that: 

• Software and sensors be designed to recognize motorcycles and respond appropriately.
• Personal privacy is protected.
• The communications systems implemented, whether Wi-Fi or another technology, be secure from hackers.
• The vehicle operator should have the option to turn off the signal to prevent unwanted tracking. 

The AMA in its demand was referring to the DOT issuance of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in December 2016: 

"The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would enable vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology on all new light-duty vehicles, enabling a multitude of new crash-avoidance applications that, once fully deployed, could prevent hundreds of thousands of crashes every year by helping vehicles 'talk' to each other." 

"We are carrying the ball as far as we can to realize the potential of transportation technology to save lives,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This long promised V2V rule is the next step in that progression.  Once deployed, V2V will provide 360-degree situational awareness on the road and will help us enhance vehicle safety." 

The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) also has plans to issue guidance for the Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communications. According to the DOT this will assist transportation planners when integrating technologies; traffic lights, stop signs and work zones. The FHA and DOT believe this will improve mobility, reduce congestion and improve safety. 

What are the safety applications of V2V and V2I? 

In a press release issued December 13, 2016 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the safety applications which will be enabled by V2V and V2I may eliminate, or at least mitigate, the severity of up to 80 percent of non-impaired crashes which includes intersection crashes and lane-changing crashes. 

NHTSA said V2V communications can provide the vehicle and driver with enhanced abilities to address additional crash situations, including those, for example, in which a driver needs to: 

• Decide if it is safe to pass on a two-lane road (potential head-on collision)
• Make a left turn across the path of oncoming traffic
• Determine if a vehicle approaching an intersection appears to be on a collision course. 

In those situations, V2V communications can detect developing threat situations hundreds of yards away, and often in situations in which the driver and on-board sensors alone cannot detect the threat. 

“The proposed new technology is being worked on at the present time and will require testing and implementation. Should you or a loved one be injured in a motorcycle accident, contact our experienced team of attorneys at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.,” said Fort Myers Motorcycle Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey.

Ft. Myers Motorcycle Accident Attorney,Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.