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Some quick statistics on fatal crashes. (Be sure to click 'view original')

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The grim statistics for Motorcyclists:
* From 2004 to 2013, the total road fatalities decreased by 25% whereas the total motorcyclists fatalities (including pillions) increased by 9%¹

* From 2012 to 2013, the total road fatalities decreased by 8% whereas the total motorcyclists fatalities (including pillions) decreased by 4.5%¹

* In 2013, there were 213 motorcyclists' fatalities on Australian roads which accounted for approximately 18% of the Australian total road fatalities¹

* In 2013, there were 17 180 596 total motor vehicles registered on Australian road whereas there were 744732 motorcycles registered which account for 4.3% of Australian registered vehicles²

* Motorcyclists are 30 times likely to be killed on Australian roads than car drivers
* It is estimated that a quarter of motorcyclists involved in accidents and wearing helmets suffer brain damage or death
* As at mid-night 31st August 2014, there had been 114 motorcyclists (including pillion passengers) killed on Australian roads so far for the year 2014 and 27 motorcyclists from Queensland ⁵

* It is estimated for each motorcycle or bicycle fatality in Australia, the cost to the community is close to $2.4 million per person, and substantially more for brain-injured persons
The grim statistics for Bicyclists:
* From 2004 to 2013, the total road fatalities decreased by 25% whereas the total bicyclists fatalities increased by 16%¹

* From 2012 to 2013, the total road fatalities decreased by 8% whereas the total bicyclists fatalities increased by 52%¹

* In 2013, there were 50 bicyclists' fatalities on Australian roads which accounted for approximately 4% of the Australian total road fatalities¹

* As at mid-night 31st August 2014, there had been 32 bicyclists killed on Australian roads so far for the year 2014 and 8 bicyclists from Queensland
The grim Australian statistics for Motorcyclists, Bicyclists and all Road Users:
The following table list the number of road fatalities on Australian roads for Motorcyclists (including Pillion Passengers), Cyclists and All Road Fatalities from 1980 to 2014 1,8: Download

Note, from 1980 to 2013:
The year 1981 recorded the highest Road Fatalities on Australian roads with 3321 deaths ⁸
The year 1982 recorded the highest Road Fatalities for Motorcyclists (including Pillion Passengers) on Australian roads with 482 deaths ⁸
The year 1983 recorded the highest Road Fatalities for Bicyclists on Australian roads with 103 deaths ⁸

The grim International statistics for Motorcyclists, Cyclists and Total Road Users:
The following table list the number of motorcyclists, bicyclists and total road fatalities for Australia, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States from 1990 to 2013 ⁷: Download

Graph 1: Motorcyclists and Bicyclists Fatalities for Australia and the state of Queensland (2004 to 2013):

Graph 2: Motorcyclists and Bicyclists Fatalities for Australia (1980 to 2013):

Graph 3: All Road Fatalities for Australia (1980 to 2013):

Graph 4: International Comparison of Motorcyclist Fatalities for Australia, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States (1990 to 2013):

Graph 5: International Comparison of Bicyclist Fatalities for Australia, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States (1990 to 2013):
"You come away from a fatal accident scene feeling absolutely sickened in the gut from the loss of a precious life (or lives) and thinking 'If only.........."
~Don Morgan
References:

[1] Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Economics (2014). Road deaths Australia: Statistical summary 2013. Canberra: Australian Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.

[2] Australian Bureau of Statistics (2014). Motor vehicle census. Canberra.

[3] Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (2008). Fatal and serious road crashes involving motorcyclists, Monograph 20.

[4] Morgan, D.E. and Szabo, L.S. (2001). Improved shock absorbing liner for helmets. Canberra: Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

[5] Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Economics (2014). Data current to August 2014; [cited 2014 Oct 10]. Available from: www.bitre.gov.au/statistics/safety/fatal_road_crash_database.aspx

[6]. Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Economics (2009). Cost of road crashes in Australia 2006 report 118. Canberra: Australian Department of Infrastructure and Transport.

[7] International Traffic Safety Data and Analysis Group (2014). Road safety annual report 2014. France: OECD/ITF.

[8] Department of Transport and Regional Development Federal Office of Road Safety (1999). Road fatalities Australia 1998 statistical summary. Canberra: Federal Office of Road Safety.

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The grim statistics for Motorcyclists: * From 2004 to 2013, the total road fatalities decreased by 25% whereas the total motorcyclists fatalities (including pillions) increased by 9%¹ * From 2012 to 2013, the total road fatalities decreased by 8% whereas the total motorcyclists fatalities (including pillions) decreased by 4.5%¹ *

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Getting your car ready for the road.

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In this article we show you how to get your car ready for a road trip. Car care and road trip planning is essential for summer travel plans.

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Are you ready for the road...

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My first visit to epic New Orleans for the annual Jazz Festival is fast approaching (from a snap decision I made a week ago) and I'm already full steam ahead with having it planned out. Not the time in NOLA itself mind you, I'm not much for planning in that respect and generally prefer to fly by the seat of my pants (there's nothing I hate more than a guided tour of ANYTHING). But all the prep stuff and the actual travel logistics?? Yeah, I'm all over that.

Here's the breakdown:

-Departing at 5:00am Monday morning.
-Chicago, IL to Hot Springs, AR --> about 11 hrs, 700 mi., $85 in gas
-Picking up a friend in Hot Springs, switching cars.
-Hot Spring, AR to New Orleans, LA --> about 8 hrs, 470 mi., $80 in gas
-3 nights, 3 days in NOLA
-Depart NOLA Thursday afternoon, back to Hot Springs, SLEEP.
-Friday morning drive back to Chicago.

As I've done this road trippin' stuff more than a few times, I figured I'd share some of my tips.

The Vehicle
If you're driving your own car, which most of us are, I always like to get an oil change and check up before I head out (although this can depend on trip mileage and when your car is due), and I like to get this done with my car guys here in my hometown who I know and trust. Vehicle failures on the road can mean having to rely on whatever mechanic is nearby when you have a problem, and I can tell you from experience this can mean big bucks for the (sometimes unnecessary) work.

Maps & Route
Yes, I know, GPS!!! But I love paper maps, always have. I have the big unfolding type of maps for the states around IL that I frequent - IN, WI, and MI - plus a few other odds and ends from places where I've spent a lot of time or lived. But I also keep an atlas of the US in my car; it's about the size of a 8.5" x 11" notebook, so it's not ridiculously huge. And while that also means it's not excessively detailed, I've always gotten by on the highways & roads it covers, which is generally more than enough.

Do yourself a favor, have a map on hand. While GPSs can be great, they still contain an element of unreliability because they are technology - so, if the battery dies, the unit can't get a signal, etc., and that's all you've got, you're pretty much screwed. The last thing you want is to take a wrong turn, end up in the backwoods, and have to rely on some Deliverance-style folks for directions. Eeek!

This trip I'm giving AAA TripTik a test run for route planning and directions. This is a great little app I discovered because I despise MapQuest (let's be honest here, they mess up directions 9 out of 10 times).

You start out on the TripTik website by inputting start/destination and selecting a route to get time & mileage estimates. Once you've created a drive you're happy with, you can save the trip and send it to the matching AAA app on your iPhone or Android device (I still print out a copy of the actual directions, just in case). Once it's on your phone, you now have your map, directions, AND here's the bonus, a lovely display along the way of things like gas stations, places to eat, hotels & their ratings, etc. It's all right there for you. How fantastic right?!? We'll see if it lives up to expectations.....

Speaking of AAA, I highly recommend using them for some kind of road coverage, even if it's basic. It's a small price to pay for large piece of mind, and the AAA guys will come out and help you with anything, anywhere in a reasonable amount of time (I've known friends using generic options for a tow and waiting 5+ hours). I've used them for about the last 15 years and they're always super helpful.

Packing
Personally I have a fair amount of experience with packing for the road as I used to spend 10-day periods traipsing about the country chasing storms in a van. Road trip packing is, to me, fairly different than packing for a trip involving flights. I mean, you've got your whole car instead of an FAA regulated amount of space to pack stuff in!

But this is also your greatest enemy - you'll find yourself saying "oh I can just toss that extra pair of shoes in the car....," and suddenly it's taking you 5 or 6 trips back and forth to load your car. I highly advise still trying to pack as light as possible because ultimately you're always going to be better off having a minimal amount of stuff to babysit.

There's also the subject of packing food for the drive. As a kid, my family took a fair number of little road trips up into MI and WI ranging from 4-6 hours. We always packed our lunches and had a "snack bag" for the trop. Also, figuring I'm going to be eating out for the majority of my time in New Orleans, I'd just assume save the money and postpone the junk food fest, so there will definitely be a cooler and a snack bag to cover at least the first 11 hours to Hot Springs.

Whatever you do, DON'T FORGET THE ENTERTAINMENT! For me, a road trip wouldn't be any fun whatsoever without a soundtrack. And maybe the occasional audio book, which I highly recommend for long driving trips to break things up a bit.

Since we're mostly using mp3 players or our phones these days, keep in mind that if you're using electronics for entertainment to have the chargers handy. Depending on the length of your trip and the battery life of your device, it's highly unlikely that anything is going to make it through a significant road trip, especially if it is your phone and you're also using it for calling (remember your Bluetooth or headset!), texting (don't text and drive!), or maps/GPS (just pull off the road altogether).

Most importantly though, don't forget your caffeine. When you get hit with one of those little post-lunch slumps or a mid-afternoon sleepy spell, caffeine comes in as a real life saver. Some people like to overload on coffee or energy drinks, but personally I'll take those little pure caffeine pills over that other stuff any day, simply so I can get the energy boost without all the calories and/or chemicals. And I only take them when I really need them, keeps me from getting antsy & shaky.

The sleepy periods and occasional monotony of long drives are certainly a downside to road trips, but personally I love the adventure and getting to see random bits of America that I would otherwise miss (not to mention the monetary savings and flexibility of driving).

Still, these long drives aren't always for everyone....I know someone who falls asleep if he's in the car alone for more than an hour or so. If this is you, probably best to start investing in plane tickets.
Are you a road warrior? Any tips you want to add in the comments section are always welcome!
As always, I invite you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+

Join us on the Rogue Road! (We're spam free and you can always opt out)

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My first visit to epic New Orleans for the annual Jazz Festival is fast approaching (from a snap decision I made a week ago) and I'm already full steam ahead with having it planned out. Not the time in NOLA itself mind you, I'm not much for planning in that respect and generally prefer to...

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A website outlining plenty of rest stops all over Australia

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Travelling along Australia's highways will get you to every corner of this great land, from the barren plains of the Nullarbor to the lush, tropical beauty of Kakadu. But there comes a time when every traveller needs to stop, rest and revive. The rest...

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The RTA Microsleep Commercial with Dr. Karl.

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The RTA Microsleep Commercial with Dr. Karl

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A key factor to a safe trip.

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Stop Revive Survive - Fatigue - Staying safe - NSW Centre for Road Safety

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About 80 Driver Reviver sites operate across NSW at peak holiday periods. They offer a safe place to stop for a biscuit and a cup of Bushells tea or coffee. These sites are clearly signposted and are supported by Bushells Tea and the Centre for Road Safety.

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A checklist of a things to consider when undertaking a big road trip..

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Why seat belts are so important on road trips..

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One more reason to drive to Brisbane in this car.

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2015 Subaru WRX small overlap IIHS crash test

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2015 Subaru WRX 40 mph small overlap IIHS crash test Overall evaluation: Good Full rating at http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/subaru/wrx/2015

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The 'Mother's Choice Victory/Whirl V9 2010'

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The 'Mother's Choice Victory/Whirl V9 2010'

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Not easy to set up but boy is it safe..

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Researching the safest baby restraint possible for the new born.

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RACV Media Releases For Our Business In Victoria

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View the current and past business-related media and press releases from RACV on our website. Read more about RACV's policy news and events in Victoria.

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A website describing the safety features of the Subaru Impreza.

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Driver injury measures

Rear passenger injury measures

Side crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle categories.

The Subaru Impreza, not including the WRX performance models, was redesigned for the 2012 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru as part of side crash test verification. The side ratings apply to the 4-door sedan and wagon (5-door) versions of the Impreza and to the Crosstrek, a wagon with increased ground clearance introduced in the 2013 model year (originally known as the XV Crosstrek).

Injury measures

Driver - Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Passenger - Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Head protection

Driver - The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Passenger - The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Tested vehicle specifications
How this test is conducted
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

-11.0

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Driver injury measures Rear passenger injury measures Side crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle categories. The Subaru Impreza, not including the WRX performance models, was redesigned for the 2012 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru as part of side crash test verification.

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Track record on the de Havilland Canada DHC-8 which will be the plane we fly on if we travel to Brisbane via plane.

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Aviation Safety Network > ASN Aviation Safety Database > Aircraft type index > de Havilland Canada DHC-8

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Aviation Safety Network: Aviation Safety Network: Databases containing descriptions of over 11000 airliner write-offs, hijackings and military aircraft accidents.

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ANCAP safety ratings for the chosen car for the trip: 200, Subaru Impreza

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Subaru Impreza (Sep 2007 - 2011) Crash Test Results | ANCAP

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Dual front airbags, side airbags and head-protecting side curtains are standard equipment. Antilock brakes (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD) and electronic stability control (ESC) are also standard. Advanced seat belt reminders are fitted to both front seats. The front seat belt buckles are mounted on the seats and the upper anchorages are adjustable.