Just re-reading a lot of the posts, and it seems most agree the real issue isn't SMIDSY, but overall lack of 'skill' (using the term loosely) on both the part of motorcyclist and driver. From actual driving ability to using a cell-phone.
A healthy majority of good, defensive driving skill apply directly to motorcycling. So what if you only ride 1000kms a year. That lack of riding would on average only directly affect crashes from rider error. That person is still otherwise piling on the kms in a motor-vehicle. Unfortunately, as we all seem to agree, it's kilometer after kilometer of poorly trained ability and bad habits.
We've all said it. The licensing system is a significant root cause.
A healthy majority of good, defensive driving skill apply directly to motorcycling. So what if you only ride 1000kms a year. That lack of riding would on average only directly affect crashes from rider error. That person is still otherwise piling on the kms in a motor-vehicle. Unfortunately, as we all seem to agree, it's kilometer after kilometer of poorly trained ability and bad habits.
We've all said it. The licensing system is a significant root cause.