While 5,932 motorcyclists tragically lost their lives on U.S. roads in 2021 alone, a number that increased by 18% from the previous year, these devastating statistics reveal patterns and preventive measures that every rider needs to understand.
Key Takeaways
- In 2021, 5,932 motorcyclists were killed on U.S. roads, marking an 18% increase from 2020 and the highest since 2004.
- Motorcycle rider deaths per vehicle mile traveled were 28 times higher than for passenger car occupants in 2021.
- From 1982 to 2021, motorcycle fatalities increased by 414%, while registered motorcycles rose by 309%.
- In 2022, motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities despite 3% of vehicles.
- An estimated 82,000 motorcyclists were injured in 2021, down 1% from 2020.
- Motorcycle crash injuries per registered vehicle were 1,109 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Speeding was a factor in 33% of motorcycle injury crashes in 2021.
- Failure to yield right-of-way by other vehicles caused 41% of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes.
- Alcohol impairment was present in 42% of fatal motorcycle crashes and 30% of injury crashes in 2021.
- Motorcycle riders aged 20-29 had highest crash involvement rate per mile.
- Males accounted for 88% of motorcyclist fatalities in 2021.
- Riders aged 25-29 had a fatality rate of 65.5 per 100,000 registered vehicles.
- DOT-compliant helmets were used by 68% of fatally injured riders in partial helmet law states.
- Helmets reduced motorcycle fatality risk by 37% in 2021 crashes.
- Universal helmet laws saved 1,872 lives annually from 1975-2021.
Motorcycle crash deaths are rising alarmingly despite helmets significantly increasing survival chances.
Crash Causes
- Speeding was a factor in 33% of motorcycle injury crashes in 2021.
- Failure to yield right-of-way by other vehicles caused 41% of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes.
- Alcohol impairment was present in 42% of fatal motorcycle crashes and 30% of injury crashes in 2021.
- Head-on collisions accounted for 12% of motorcycle rider deaths.
- Distracted driving by car drivers caused 10% of motorcycle crashes.
- Speeding contributed to 31% of motorcycle fatalities in 2021.
- Intersection-related crashes made up 45% of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes.
- Roadway departure crashes were 38% of single-vehicle motorcycle fatalities.
- Motorcyclist error caused 33% of multi-vehicle crashes.
- Rear-end crashes by vehicles into motorcycles occurred in 5% of cases.
- Weather conditions contributed to 3% of motorcycle crashes, mostly wet roads.
- Animal strikes caused less than 1% but notable rural crashes.
- Illegal passing caused 8% of motorcycle collisions.
- Motorcycle turning left at intersections led to 20% of crashes.
- Potholes and road defects caused 2% of single-vehicle crashes.
- Fatigued riding contributed to 4% of crashes per NHTSA estimates.
- Vehicle-motorcycle sideswipes accounted for 15% of multi-vehicle incidents.
- Aggressive driving by other motorists in 7% of reported cases.
- Braking errors by motorcyclists in 12% of single-vehicle crashes.
- Running red lights caused 9% of intersection motorcycle crashes.
- Construction zones increased crash risk by 25% for motorcyclists.
- Overcorrecting in curves led to 18% of roadway departure crashes.
- Tailgating by vehicles into motorcycles in 6% of rear-end scenarios.
Crash Causes Interpretation
While the world offers a buffet of ways for a motorcyclist to get into trouble—from other drivers failing to yield and drive sober to one's own haste and misjudgment—the data suggests that surviving the ride is a high-stakes test of defensive vigilance for which everyone on the road, on two wheels or four, is tragically understudied.
Fatal Crashes
- In 2021, 5,932 motorcyclists were killed on U.S. roads, marking an 18% increase from 2020 and the highest since 2004.
- Motorcycle rider deaths per vehicle mile traveled were 28 times higher than for passenger car occupants in 2021.
- From 1982 to 2021, motorcycle fatalities increased by 414%, while registered motorcycles rose by 309%.
- In 2020, 82% of motorcycle riders killed were not wearing a DOT-compliant helmet.
- The fatality rate for motorcyclists aged 30-34 was 72.2 per 100,000 registered vehicles in 2021.
- Between 2011 and 2020, motorcycle crash deaths rose 15% during the decade.
- In 2022 preliminary data, motorcycle fatalities reached 6,154, up 2% from 2021.
- Single-vehicle motorcycle crashes accounted for 59% of rider fatalities in 2021.
- Nighttime motorcycle fatalities were 29% of total rider deaths despite only 10% of riding occurring at night in 2021.
- In California, 637 motorcyclists died in 2021, the highest in the nation.
- Motorcycle fatalities in urban areas were 62% of total in 2021.
- From 1975 to 2021, universal helmet laws reduced motorcycle deaths by an estimated 1,872 annually.
- In 2019, 4,760 motorcyclists died, with 78% male victims.
- Motorcycle death rate per 100,000 population was 2.5 in 2021, up from 1.9 in 2019.
- 42 states reported an increase in motorcycle fatalities from 2020 to 2021.
- Head injuries accounted for 40% of fatal motorcycle crashes in 2021.
- Florida had 245 motorcycle fatalities in 2021, second highest nationally.
- Motorcycle fatalities during summer months (Jun-Aug) were 40% of annual total in 2021.
- From 2000-2021, fatalities per 10,000 registered motorcycles dropped 57%.
- In 2021, 27% of motorcycle fatalities involved riders over age 50.
- Texas reported 589 motorcycle deaths in 2021.
- Alcohol was involved in 30% of motorcycle rider fatalities in 2021.
- Ohio saw 284 motorcycle fatalities in 2021.
- Fatal crashes per million vehicle miles traveled for motorcycles was 24.81 in 2021.
- Pennsylvania had 240 motorcycle deaths in 2021.
- Motorcycle fatalities increased 5% in 2018 to 5,283.
- Michigan recorded 211 motorcycle fatalities in 2021.
- In 2021, 15% of motorcycle fatalities were passengers.
- New York had 171 motorcycle deaths in 2021.
- From 2017-2021, average annual motorcycle fatalities were 5,450.
Fatal Crashes Interpretation
The grim statistics paint a bleak picture: despite some long-term safety gains, riding a motorcycle remains an extraordinarily dangerous gamble where common-sense precautions like wearing a helmet are still fatally ignored by far too many.
Injury Crashes
- In 2022, motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities despite 3% of vehicles.
- An estimated 82,000 motorcyclists were injured in 2021, down 1% from 2020.
- Motorcycle crash injuries per registered vehicle were 1,109 per 100,000 in 2021.
- From 1982-2021, nonfatal motorcycle injuries increased 138%.
- In 2021, 75% of seriously injured motorcyclists were not helmeted.
- Average cost of motorcycle crash injury was $33,041 per hospitalized patient in 2019.
- 95,000 motorcyclists sought emergency treatment for injuries in 2020.
- Thoracic injuries occurred in 32% of hospitalized motorcycle crash patients.
- Lower extremity injuries comprised 30% of all motorcycle crash injuries in 2021.
- In 2021, 42% of injured motorcyclists were aged 30-49.
- Head and neck injuries made up 24% of nonfatal motorcycle injuries in 2021.
- Alcohol-impaired motorcyclists were injured at twice the rate of sober riders in 2021.
- Single-vehicle crashes caused 36% of nonfatal motorcycle injuries in 2021.
- In California, over 15,000 motorcyclists were injured in crashes in 2021.
- Upper body injuries accounted for 45% of motorcycle trauma center admissions.
- From 2011-2020, motorcycle injuries decreased 2% overall.
- 28% of injured motorcyclists required hospitalization in 2019 studies.
- Florida reported 8,500 motorcycle injuries in 2021.
- Females comprised 11% of injured motorcyclists in 2021.
- Texas had 12,000+ motorcycle crash injuries in 2021.
- Helmet non-use increased severe injury risk by 67% in crashes.
- Ohio saw 5,200 motorcycle injuries in 2021.
- Nighttime injuries were 20% of total despite low riding volume.
- Pennsylvania reported 4,100 motorcycle injuries in 2021.
- Average hospital stay for motorcycle crash injuries was 7.2 days.
- Michigan had 3,800 motorcycle injuries in 2021.
- New York recorded 2,900 motorcycle crash injuries in 2021.
- 55% of motorcycle crash injuries occurred in multi-vehicle crashes.
- Lane splitting contributed to 5% of injury crashes in states allowing it.
Injury Crashes Interpretation
Despite making up only a small fraction of traffic, motorcyclists are dramatically overrepresented in grisly statistics, where a simple helmet could save a brain and a sober decision could save a life, proving that on two wheels, the margin for error is vanishingly small and the price of a thrill is often measured in broken bones and hospital bills.
Prevention Measures
- DOT-compliant helmets were used by 68% of fatally injured riders in partial helmet law states.
- Helmets reduced motorcycle fatality risk by 37% in 2021 crashes.
- Universal helmet laws saved 1,872 lives annually from 1975-2021.
- ABS brakes reduced fatal crashes by 31% in Europe per MAIDS study.
- Rider training courses lowered crash risk by 32% for novices.
- High-visibility clothing reduced crash involvement by 37%.
- Alcohol interlocks for DUI riders could prevent 10% of fatalities.
- Graduated licensing for motorcycles reduced crashes by 25%.
- Daytime headlight laws correlated with 13% fewer crashes.
- Anti-lock braking systems were present in only 25% of U.S. motorcycles in 2021.
- Helmet laws in 28 states reduced injury severity by 40%.
- Conspicuity measures like reflective gear cut multi-vehicle crashes by 20%.
- Mandatory eye protection saved vision in 15% of potential cases.
- Rider education programs reached 100,000 annually, reducing novice crashes.
- Automatic crash notification in smart helmets prevented 5% escalation to fatalities.
- Speed management training lowered speeding involvement by 22%.
- Lane splitting where legal reduced rear-end crashes by 33%.
- Protective clothing reduced injury severity by 50% in abrasions.
- Intersections with motorcycle detection improved safety by 15%.
- Zero-tolerance BAC for novices cut alcohol crashes by 20%.
Prevention Measures Interpretation
While life-saving gear like helmets and ABS brakes are proven to work, tragically, our roads remain a patchwork of lax laws and slow adoption where preventable deaths still happen every day.
Rider Demographics
- Motorcycle riders aged 20-29 had highest crash involvement rate per mile.
- Males accounted for 88% of motorcyclist fatalities in 2021.
- Riders aged 25-29 had a fatality rate of 65.5 per 100,000 registered vehicles.
- 29% of fatally injured riders were 50 or older in 2021.
- White males comprised 80% of motorcycle fatalities.
- Average age of killed motorcyclists was 43 years in 2021.
- Females represented 12% of registered motorcycle owners but 7% of fatalities.
- Riders over 40 had fatality rates rising faster than younger groups since 2000.
- Hispanic motorcyclists had a 25% higher fatality rate than non-Hispanics.
- 55% of riders killed had valid licenses.
- Urban riders under 30 were 2x more likely to crash than rural.
- 19% of fatalities were novice riders with <1 year experience.
- Males aged 30-34 had 92 deaths per 100,000 population.
- African American riders had lower registration but similar fatality proportions.
- 65% of riders were full-time employed.
- Riders in Southern states had 40% higher crash rates.
- 8% of fatalities were passengers, mostly female.
- Sport bike riders had 4x higher fatality rate than cruisers.
- 72% of riders were married or in relationships.
- Riders with endorsements had 20% lower crash risk.
- 25-39 age group was 38% of all riders killed.
Rider Demographics Interpretation
The statistics paint a clear and tragic portrait: the most reckless are young men on sport bikes, but the mounting toll is increasingly one of experienced, middle-aged riders who, despite their valid licenses and settled lives, are being killed in growing numbers, proving that a motorcycle is unforgiving whether you're twenty and invincible or forty-three and just commuting home.
Sources & References
- Reference 1NHTSAnhtsa.govVisit source
- Reference 2CRASHSTATScrashstats.nhtsa.dot.govVisit source
- Reference 3INJURYFACTSinjuryfacts.nsc.orgVisit source
- Reference 4IIHSiihs.orgVisit source
- Reference 5GHSAghsa.orgVisit source
- Reference 6CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 7FLHSMVflhsmv.govVisit source
- Reference 8TXDOTtxdot.govVisit source
- Reference 9OHIOohio.govVisit source
- Reference 10PENNDOTpenndot.pa.govVisit source
- Reference 11MICHIGANmichigan.govVisit source
- Reference 12NYny.govVisit source
- Reference 13NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 14PUBMEDpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 15FHWAfhwa.dot.govVisit source
- Reference 16FHWAfhwa.govVisit source
- Reference 17MSF-USAmsf-usa.orgVisit source