Illinois Considers Third Class of Motorcycle License

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Motorcycle Accident

For the past three years, there has been a consistent increase in the number of motorcycle accident fatalities in the state of Illinois. The number of deaths has caused officials to seriously consider adding a third class of motorcycle license to the two classes of licenses that Illinois now offers.

Currently, when a person applies for a motorcycle license, they have two options to test for.  The first is for cycles which have an engine less than 150 cubic centimeters. Engines these sizes are typically found in scooters and off-road bikes. The second class is for cycles with engines larger than 150 cubic centimeters.

The problem, proponents of a third license class say, is that motorcycle manufactures keep designing bikes with larger and larger engines, with enough power to hit speeds of up to 140 miles per hour. A novice rider, who passed their licensing test riding a smaller engine motorcycle, goes and purchases one of these more powerful bikes and ends up not being able to handle them. This often leads to accidents–and too often those accidents are deadly.

The third class of license being considered is for motorcycles with engines of approximately 600 cubic centimeters. To receive this license, a person would have to test on a bike which has an engine of that size, to demonstrate they have the skills to be able to drive it.

Just as there are groups which oppose Illinois implementing a mandatory helmet law–currently only one of three states in the nation without one–there are also groups which oppose a third motorcycle license class.

In 2012, there were 50 motorcycle deaths in the state. The age group with the largest number of fatalities was those who were between the ages of 50 and 54 years old, with 23 fatalities. Seventy-eight percent of all those killed in motorcycle crashes were not wearing helmets. And although many motorcycle drivers blame vehicle drivers for causing accidents, Illinois State Police say that almost 70 percent of the fatal motorcycle accidents that occurred in this state the past two years were caused by motorcycle drivers.

Even if you have taken all of the proper precautions, you may still be involved in a motorcycle crash because of the negligence of another driver. To find out what legal recourse you may have, contact an experienced Orland Park personal injury attorney.