A recent Washington State Patrol study reports that 80% of all motorcycle fatalities in the state were the result of rider error, the most common being excessive speed and lane errors, usually a rider unable to negotiate a curve safely. Of the fatal crashes, 93% had no training. There have been 48 motocycle fatalities in Washington so far this year, 5 more than last year's total.
Nationally, motorcycle deaths in 2007 increased for the 10th year in a row, with 5,154 deaths. 317 more than 2006.
Washington state has bucked that trend with 80 motorcycle related deaths in 2006 and 48 in 2007. This may be as a result of a new law allowing law enforcement to impound the bike of any rider that does not have the required motorcycle operator endorsement. Thus far more than 260 motorcycles have been impounded. One way to get your endorsement is to complete a motorcycle safety course (the other way is to take a written and riding test given by the State Patrol).
The inferrence is that completion of a motorcycle safety course reduces the risk of accidents and I agree. I hope everyone on this forum has had the foresight to take the training.

Scott

Eschew obfuscation.