Since 2002, the total registered motorcycle count has doubled. Ride a motorcycle that suits you: A too big, too heavy, or overpowered motorcycle is difficult to control and increases the risk of an accident. The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) shares and supports this mission through scientific studies of insurance data representing the human and economic losses resulting from the ownership and operation of different types of vehicles and by publishing insurance loss results by vehicle make and model. How dangerous is it really for motorcyclists on Americas roads? All Rights Reserved. California and Florida rank as the top two states in terms of registered motorcycles, but the deadliest state is Louisiana, with a rate of fatal accidents of 21.1 per 10,000 registered motorcycles. (1) Alcohol-impaired driving crashes are crashes that involve at least one driver or a motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 grams per deciliter or greater, the legal definition of alcohol-impaired driving. South Carolina motorcycle deaths reach four-decade high of 154 in 2021 The average speed of a motorcycle before the crash is 29.8 mph. While 2,881 crashes were fatal, 42,000 resulted in injuries and 18,000 in property damage. How Many People In The Us Ride Dirt Bikes - BikeHike No attorney/client relationship shall be expressly or impliedly created between The Motorcycle Legal Foundation, and you, by the publishing of articles on this site, or by comments by any party including contributors of the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, nor should you interpret that any such relationship has been created by the publishing of any content on this site. Motorbike deaths are more likely to happen in urban areas (53%) than in rural ones (48%). [19] Motorcycle deaths have come under increased attention because other types of non-motorcycle fatalities have decreased, so motorcycle fatalities became an increased share of deaths. Fatalities by county Fatalities by month Questions? The IIHS reveals that there are 8.3 million registered motorcycles currently on American roads. Here are some motorcycle riding stats that can help you stay informed and hopefully safer. Of these, 33% had a BAC of 0.01 or more. (1) Trucks with 10,000 pounds or less gross vehicle weight. In 2019 there was a total of 103 motorcycle fatalities. 37% effective in preventing rider fatalities and 41% effective, National Highway Traffic Safety Commision, National Highway Traffic Safety Commission, The Lightweight Motorcycle Helmet Guide for 2023, A Beginners Guide to Types of Motorcycles, Upgrade Your Ride: Best High-Tech Motorcycle Gadgets. As you read through this analysis of recent motorcycle accident statistics, you will find information to become a better and safer rider. To request crash data, please visit the Public Record Center. 32. [6][34] (In the US, motorcycles includes both motorized tricycles and bicycles.) In fact, only 1.99% of motorbike deaths happened when there was rainwater on the road. In 2019, motorcycle riders involved in deadly accidents had higher percentages of alcohol (29%) than drivers of other motor vehicles. Motorcycle Fact Sheet | Georgia Department of Driver Services GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) South Carolina reported more deaths on motorcycles in 2021 than any year in the past four decades. Since motorcyclists lack the surrounding protective structure of other vehicles, they are more likely to sustain severe injuries, or even fatal ones, after a crash.Namely, motorcycle fatalities occurred nearly 29 times more frequently compared to passenger car occupant deaths in crashes in 2019. Texas, South Carolina, Hawaii, North Carolina, and Florida follow. It is noteworthy that the demographic most commonly associated with riding is the over-40 group. Teen motor vehicle fatalities (age 16-19) decreased 25.2% from 219 in 2018 to 164 in 2019. Dangerous States for Motorcycle Riders - QuoteWizard (1) Includes motorcyclists killed on unknown day of week. 25% of motorcycle deaths occur because of collisions with fixed objects. In 2012, 75% of two-vehicle motorcycle accidents involved the motorcycle crashing into the vehicle ahead of it and only 7% involved the motorcycle being hit in the rear. Two seconds. Deadly Motorcycle Crashes Are Increasing - Washington Traffic Safety [4][8] There is a reported 80% chance of injury or death on a motorcycle in the event of an accident, compared to about 20% for passenger vehicles. The accompanying chart shows that single-vehicle crashes, such as a motorcyclist losing control of the vehicle on a wet or snow-covered road account for 39.87% of fatal accidents. The rate of severe motorcycle accidents today is significantly higher than car accidents, despite cars dominating the road. Among fatally injured motorcycle drivers in 2020, 82 percent of cruiser or standard motorcycle drivers were 30 or older, as were 94 percent of touring bike drivers. More specifically, 591 people lost their lives in motorcycle accidents in Florida that year. Sixtypercent of the deaths in 2020 occurred during May-September. [4] At the same time occupant deaths of other types of vehicles have decreased in the 21st century, so motorcycle accident deaths have become an increased share of all deaths and noted for being 26 times more deadly than cars. As a matter of fact, in 2019, two-thirds of these deaths occurred in places that werent intersections. Copyright Carsurance 2022 - All Rights Reserved, Most Expensive License Plates Around The World, What to Expect Physically After a Car Accident, What Happens if You Have an Accident in a Rental Car, What Happens if You Crash a Leased Car: Overview, Motorcycles represented 14% of the traffic-related deaths in 2019, In 2019, around nine in ten motorcyclists who lost their lives in crashes were males, Less than one in ten motorcyclists involved in crashes have insurance, In 2019, most motorcyclists who died in accidents were aged 2529, A quarter of motorcycle deaths happen because of collisions with fixed objects, Riders errors cause almost 66% of single-vehicle motorcycle crashes, Wet weather accounts for nearly a third of motorcycle accidents, Almost 75% of moto crashes involve a collision with another vehicle. Percentage of motorcycle driver deaths by motorcycle engine size, 1985-2020. This also goes for custom-builds that do not have a VIN. Awareness always: Some people may prefer to call it defensive riding. Twenty-seven percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers in 2020 had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08 percent; in single-vehicle crashes this was41 percent. This statistic dates back to 2019 when the overwhelming majority of deaths during motorcycling happened to men. It is unclear if this has to do with rush hour driving of those who choose their bikes rather than a passenger car. Whatever the reason for it, you have a greater chance of crashing a motorcycle than you do when driving in your car, truck, or SUV. This number is slightly down from 2018 when the number of motorcycle deaths reached 5,038. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that driving a motorcycle increases your risk of death by 26 times more than if you drove a car when a crash takes place. As stated by the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, the biggest cause of deaths in motorcycle crashes is a head injury. Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Commission. In detail, that was the case for 674 people in this age group. In fact, 25% of all dangerous accidents occurred in this window of time. Fortypercent of motorcyclist deaths in 2020 occurred in single-vehicle crashes, and 60 percent occurred in multiple-vehicle crashes. Sixty-one percent of the female motorcyclists who died in crashes in 2020were passengers, and their deaths represented 92 percent of the passenger deaths. Wearing proper safety gear and staying vigilant can make a world of difference. (Georgia Injury Lawyer) Running into objects causes nearly a quarter of motorcyclist fatalities, compared to 18% of car crash deaths. In 2020, California reported the highest number of personal and commercial motorcycles registered in the country. In 2019, motorcyclists involved in a fatal accident had a higher rate of alcohol disability than drivers of all other car types (29% on motorcycles, 20% on cars, 19% on light trucks, 2% for heavy trucks). Among motorcycle drivers killed in 2020, 34 percent drove motorcycles with engine sizes larger than 1,400 cc, compared with 9 percent in 2000 and less than 1 percent in 1990. Besides that, how old are the bikes you see on the roads every day? Motorcycle deaths on the rise in South Carolina, trooper says - WMBF News "We are concerned about the death of so many motorcyclists in 2020 with the traditional riding season still to come," said Pam Pannkuk, Acting Director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. But, of course, any discussion about motorcycles eventually gets around to their lack of stability and ability to protect riders and passengers from serious injury in a crash. As many as 73% of riders involved in accidents didnt wear any protective eyewear. How many motorcycle deaths in the US each year? It is the most currently available data derived from the NHTSA. While biking is fun and exciting, its definitely more dangerous than driving a car. Of the more than 8 million motorcycles, 950,780 are registered right here, in California. Do you know where a helmet impact occurs the most? Motorcycle Accident experts consider common causes of fatal motorcycle accidents to be speeding, riding while drunk, lane splitting, sudden lane changes, and overall reckless motorcyclist driving. Even so, in only 18 states, is there a mandatory motorcycle helmet law. NCSA has also changed the methodology of estimating people nonfatally injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Compared to other drivers, motorcyclists have a considerably higher number of single-vehicle accidents. Statistics show that 5,206,409 registered bikes are older than ten years. As many as 69% of questioned Millennials mentioned that theyre more interested in electric bikes due to their sustainability and environmental impact. 2002 Crash Facts. The anecdotal speed of about 86 mph only happens once in 1,000 cases. (More on Safety Ratings here.). Also, they offer additional protection, helping you avoid serious injury in the event of a crash. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Californias riders, in particular, know that the Golden State has several rides that take bikers on the open road. Defective Product Attorney in Los Angeles, 21+ Motorcycle Accident Statistics and Facts, We Make the Process Easy to Get the Results You Deserve. Impairment was highest at52 percent among fatally injured ATV drivers ages 30-39. Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Safety Administration. Wearing armored riding boots reduces the chance of open-wound injuries by as much as 90%, as shown in a study by the Marine Corps Safety and Force Preservation. The second age group with the highest number of motorcyclist fatalities was 6069, with 640 such fatalities. Intersections are usually where most accidents occur when another vehicle violates the motorbikes right-of-way or other rules and traffic controls. [18] Between 1999 and 2012 4,423 died in combined motor vehicle deaths including motorcycles. Regardless of how careful and safe you are, theres always a chance of an accident caused by other riders and factors. In nine years motorcycle deaths more than doubled from the late 1990s to 2008. Twenty-five percent were at 0.08 or more. However, it is head-on collisions with cars that make up one of the biggest types of fatal collisions. IIHS Causes of Motorcycle Accident Statistics A lot of factors can be at play in a motorcycle crash. Both organizations are wholly supported by these auto insurers and insurance associations. Electric motorcycles are becoming more popular as the more sustainable way of enjoying riding. Of those,88percent were on minor roads. The risk of other foot injuries is also reduced by 45%. It makes the Golden State the number one location for bike riders. Examples include the route to the grocery store or the way to work. This number represented a slight decrease in motorcycle accidents per year, compared to the year before when there were 5,038 such fatalities. Other vehicles violating motorcycle's right-of-way is what causes 2/3 of multiple-vehicle accidents. Then again, around 84,000 motorcyclists sustained injuries in 2019, representing a 2% rise from the previous year. Fri, 14 Jan 2022. [2] In 2008, 47% of fatal accidents were with another vehicle, and of those 77% involved a head-on collision with a motorcycle and in 7% the motorcycle was struck from behind. U.S. Department of Transportation. Analysis of available data about fatal motorcycle accidents provides a better understanding of their causes and factors contributing to the death of a rider instead of a survivable injury. That is the highest number recorded and an 11 percent increase from 2019. The federal government estimates that per mile traveled in 2019, the number of deaths on motorcycles was nearly 29 times the number in cars. 8.6 million motorcycles were registered in the US in 2021 Only 3% of vehicles on US roads are motorcycles, and they cover only 0.6% of all vehicle miles Road accidents are the leading cause of death for those aged up to 29 years Nearly 20,000 cars are involved in fatal crashes each year There are 1.11 deaths per 100 million miles travelled by car Those numbers rose in 2020 where 172 fatal accidents killed 170 in 2020. In 2017, 33% of killed motorcyclists drove bikes with engine sizes larger than 1400c. According to the MIC Owner survey, 71% of riders are employed while the rest are retired. According to Statista, in 2020, the total number of public, personal, and commercial motorcycles registered in the US states and the District of Columbia totaled approximately 8.32 million. Fog, which you might have imagined obscuring visibility and increasing the risk of crashing, was a factor in less than 1% of fatal accidents. Among the motorcycles whose drivers were killed in 2020, 94 percent of touring bikes had engines larger than 1,400 cc, while virtually all supersport bikes had engine sizes of 1,000 cc or smaller. [7] (About half a million people to a million people would die each year if cars had a similar accident rate, all else being equal. Speeding, distracted driving, and drunk drivers can be deadly, and other vehicles on the road pose the biggest risk. Since a steel frame doesnt protect them, they are more likely to get thrown far and hard and sustain deadly injuries. The following statistics were provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and updated in September 2021. How Many Motorcycle Accidents In 2021? | Montag Law Only in 1/1000 is the speed at 86 mph. All rights reserved. Out of all motorcycle owners, approximately 81% of them are male. Naturally, adequate motorcycle insurance coverage comes in really handy when something bad happens. All states in the US, except Florida, require motorcycle owners to have some sort of motorcycle insurance. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, some 58% of motorcyclist deaths in 2017 occurred in the period from May to September. Data collected about motorcycle crashes point toward the four factors, geographic, time of day, weather, and intoxicated driving, displayed in the accompanying charts as impacting motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle helmet effectiveness revisited(Report No. Three blocks from where fellow Allman Brothers Band member Duane Allman had his fatal motorcycle crash. Approximately 28% of fatally injured motorcyclists had 0.08% or more alcohol concentration in their blood. In the late 1970s the proportion of fatally injured motorcyclists who were 50 and older started to increase, rising from 3 percent of all rider deaths in 1975 to 14 percent in 1997 and 36 percent in 2020. The smaller size relative to other vehicles makes it easier for a motorcycle not to be seen by other drivers. Nevertheless, motorcyclists should avoid riding in inclement weather or, if they must, take adequate precautions before hitting the road, such as running a thorough pre-ride inspection. [9], Non-fatal injuries for motorcycle accidents include the danger of paralysis, such as quadriplegia. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of the riders who were killed during a crash, motorcycle accident statistics suggest that 33% were riding an engine size that was greater than 1,400cc. It stands for: Most of these multiple vehicle accidents involve passenger vehicles, such as cars. According to statistics, more than 2 million people are injured in car accidents each year. However, too much power, and the inexperience of many supersport motorcycle riders, make them incredibly dangerous on the open road. Per 100,000 registered motorcycles, their figure reaches 975. [3] It was also 14% in 2008. Wear appropriate safety gear: Regardless of the laws in your state, wear a DOT-approved. In 2017 alone, approximately 36% of fatally injured bikers were older than 50 years old, while 28% of fatally injured bikers were younger than 30. Fifty-two percent of motorcyclist deaths in 2020 occurred on major roads other than interstates and freeways. However, the state-mandated coverage hardly proves sufficient in case of an accident. Instead, learn the dangers associated with riding a motorcycle and, more importantly, tips on how to avoid them and stay safe on the road. These data focus on straddle-type ATVs, as opposed to side-by-side models that have increased in popularity recently. 2021 MKP Law Group, LLP - Do not copy. Intoxicated Driving [24] That year half of all fatal accidents were two-vehicle crashes,[24] However, they also had the highest rate of collision with fixed object between passenger cars, light trucks, and heavy trucks; with a 22% of fatalities being single-vehicle crashes with a fixed object. (2008). Additionally, motorcyclists aged 2124 involved in fatal accidents had the highest speeding involvement almost 50%. In contrast, 91% of deadly events occur on roads that are not interstates. [21] However, they account for a relatively smaller amount of the total miles traveled (motorcycles are often only driven in good weather) about 0.7% of all vehicles miles traveled 2012. In 2020, 88 percent of fatally injured motorcyclists were helmeted in states with helmet laws that cover all riders, in contrast to only32 percent in states with no helmet law. The most likely places for motorcycle fatalities werent intersections. What Are the Odds of Crashing a Motorcycle? [29], Tire issues such as blow-outs can cause motorcycle accidents. In states with helmet laws that cover only some riders, 41 percent of fatally injured motorcyclists were helmeted. However, women are a part of these statistics even when theyre not riding, often sitting in the passenger seats. Helmet use was lower, at 46 percent, for people killed as passengers on motorcycles. Take the cue and respect speed limits, always. . 1997 Crash Facts. There may be even more on the roads, though. Motorcyclists who wear safety clothing are less likely to require hospital help. More than 8.6 registered motorcycles attest to their continued popularity as an economical mode of transportation. Improper lane use, including lane splitting. Passenger vehicle occupant deaths and motorcyclist deaths, 1975-2020. Government estimates show that more than 25,000 lives have been saved since 2002 through helmets by motorcyclists. The average driver experiences vehicle-related accidents every six years, with near misses up to twice a month. Per vehicle miles traveled in 2019, motorcycle deaths happened almost 29 times more commonly than passenger car occupant deaths in traffic accidents. Not only were motorcyclists 29 times more likely to die in a crash than drivers and passengers of other types of vehicles, but they were four times more likely to be injured. 22% of female bikers are Generation X, while 26% of them are Millennials. California Traffic Safety Quick Stats | Office of Traffic Safety Motorcyclist deaths from not wearing a helmet decreased 18% from 34 in 2018 to 28 in 2019. Deutermann, W. (2004). Few motorcycle drivers invest in armored motorcycle boots. Bikes arent as stable as cars, and rides often lack the protection a car driver has. The fact that car accidents occur more frequently than motorcycle accidents should not be a surprise considering that cars far outnumber motorcycles. In 98% of crashes, the weather didnt have any contribution to the accident. Sport and super sport riders were also likely to be younger among those involved in a fatal accident, with an average age of 27 (for the year 2005). Experts averaging the numbers found that a motorcycle rider is 29 times more like to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled than an occupant in a standard passenger car. However, do you know how many machines are currently on the road? According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, these are some stats of motorcycle vs. car accidents: The chart below shows how motorcycles compare to trucks and cars regarding the rate of involvement in fatal crashes. [25] Enhanced operator training of how to achieve optimal breaking of motorcycle may increase safety. There were 5,579 motorcycle fatalities in 2020 - the highest number ever recorded. Is it because people dont want such a rule? However, if you get careless, your innocent ride can end in tragedy. Helmets, jackets, goggles, boots, and gloves can make all the difference in your safety while riding. Men seem to be more into motorcycles than women, although women are present just as well. Michael Padway uses his expertise in personal injury and motorcycle accidents to represent a broad spectrum of clients dealing with life-changing and permanent injuries for the first time. Motorcyclists and their passengers are more vulnerable to the hazards of weather and road conditions than drivers in closed vehicles. 3/4 of bike accidents involve other vehicles, while only 1/4 are single-vehicle accidents. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries and property damage from motor vehicle crashes through research and evaluation and through education of consumers, policymakers and safety professionals. [4] 1,832 were single-vehicle crashes and 2,549 were multi-vehicle crashes. Engine sizes of motorcycles whose drivers were killed in crashes have gone up dramatically. Anticipate conditions: It may be a clear, sunny day when you start your ride, but weather conditions can quickly change and result in you riding in rain or snow. Motorcycle Accident Statistics (Updated for 2021) | Road Racerz The majority of these accidents occur because of driving errors such as slide-out and fall because of over-braking or negotiating a curve at high speed, according to causes of motorcycle accidents statistics. [6] The number of fatalities of those under 30 has gone from 80% percent in 1975 to 30% in 2014.[4]. As you can see from the chart, 25.98 fatal accidents involving a motorcycle occurred for each 100 million miles traveled in 2019 compared to only 1.42 collisions for passenger cars using the same number of miles. 2000 Crash Facts. The mean engine displacement of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes also increased, from an average engine size of 769cc (46.9cuin) in 1990, to 959cc (58.5cuin) in 2001, an increase of 24.7 percent. Source: U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Theres no such thing as a minor motorbike crash. Facts and Statistics: To date there have been 100 motorcycle fatalities in 2020. Input your search keywords and press Enter. This, in turn, can help save lives by developing new safety features and the increased use of currently available equipment, such as anti-lock brakes and helmets, that offer riders better control over their vehicles or provide increased protection when they crash. Accident statistics offer an insight into the common causes of accidents and things you can do, such as wearing a motorcycle helmet to reduce the risk of a crash and minimize the severity of the injuries in case of one. The Safety Programs and Crash Data unit provides fatal data and statistics used to develop performance targets, performance tracking, and trends that are used to help reduce the fatalities on Colorado roadways.