Data Update # 3: Explaining the decline of motorcycle fatalities

Almost at the end, and I've refined the story quite a bit. I'm now only focusing on the decrease of motorcycle fatalities.

Here is my datawrapper chart I'm using to tell this story.

  

The three best quotes I have to use in my story are from Leslie Dickson, a media relations spokesperson for ICBC.


“We’ve actually seen a significant increase in motorcycle licenses over that same time period. Between 2003 and 2012 the number of motorcycles licenses in BC has increased by 24 percent, or by 51 000 licenses. I think it’s significant that we’re seeing a recent decline even though there are many more motorcycles on the road.”

 What could have helped decrease motorcycle deaths?

“One thing is helmets, helmets have improved in their design and protection- and more people are wearing proper and safer helmets. It’s also the gear that motorcyclists wear. Gear has improved significantly in the past couple decades, both the materials and the protective components that reduce injury and possibly prevent a fatal outcome”.

 What also could have decreased vehicle fatalities in general?

 “We also have a graduated licensing program that for younger divers that we introduced in [1998], hopefully that has had some impact on the decline. As we gradually let young drivers have more responsibility and give them oversight initially when they’re driving for a longer period, hopefully that has helped with [reducing] crashes.”

 What is the one Question I can’t answer with my data? 

Though Dickson gave me some indication about the number of motorcycles on the road during the decrease between 2004 and 2012, it doesn’t show the total amount of motorcycles registered per year. Also I need the number of cars on the road per year. Dickson as my contact at ICBC has agreed to get me this data, which she says I should have before the final draft is due.