Key Takeaways
- In 2022, 5,486 motorcyclists were killed on U.S. roads, marking a 2% increase from 2021 and representing 14% of all traffic fatalities.
- Motorcycle rider deaths rose by 25% from 2019 to 2022 in the United States, reaching 6,335 total fatalities including passengers.
- In 2021, there were 5,932 motorcyclist fatalities in the U.S., with 83% being riders and 17% passengers.
- Annually, U.S. emergency departments treat 92,000 motorcyclists for injuries from crashes.
- In 2021, 82,000 motorcyclists were injured in U.S. traffic crashes, down 3% from 2020.
- Motorcycle crash injuries cost U.S. $17 billion annually in medical and productivity losses.
- Males account for 92% of all hospitalized motorcycle injury cases in U.S.
- Riders aged 30-49 comprise 42% of U.S. motorcycle fatalities and injuries.
- 80% of motorcycle crash victims are male, per global WHO data.
- 39% of U.S. motorcycle crashes involve intersection left turns by other vehicles.
- Speeding contributes to 33% of U.S. motorcycle fatalities.
- Impaired riding (BAC 0.08+) in 42% of fatal motorcycle crashes.
- Helmets reduce fatality risk by 37% and head injury by 69%.
- Universal helmet laws reduce motorcycle deaths by 24% per NHTSA.
- ABS brakes on motorcycles reduce crashes by 31% per MAIDS.
Motorcycle fatalities are alarmingly high and rising despite available safety measures.
Crash Causes
- 39% of U.S. motorcycle crashes involve intersection left turns by other vehicles.
- Speeding contributes to 33% of U.S. motorcycle fatalities.
- Impaired riding (BAC 0.08+) in 42% of fatal motorcycle crashes.
- Single-vehicle loss of control: 40% of all motorcycle crashes.
- Lane splitting by motorcycles increases crash risk by 1.4x per MAIDS study.
- Rear-end collisions: only 5% of motorcycle crashes but 25% injuries.
- Distracted drivers cause 21% of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes.
- Roadway design flaws contribute to 15% of motorcycle single-vehicle crashes.
- Excessive speed in curves: 28% of rural motorcycle fatalities.
- Failure to yield: 60% of intersection motorcycle collisions.
- Tire failure or mechanical issues: 4% of motorcycle crashes.
- Animal strikes: 2% of crashes but higher injury severity.
- Weather-related (wet roads): doubles crash risk for motorcycles.
- Head-on collisions: 10% of fatal motorcycle crashes.
- Illegal passing: causes 12% of multi-vehicle motorcycle incidents.
- Running off road: 56% of fatal single-vehicle motorcycle crashes.
- Driver inattention: 50% of car-motorcycle collision causes.
- Overbraking by novice riders: 15% of low-speed crashes.
- Gravel or debris: 8% of loss-of-control incidents.
- High side crash after low side: 20% of severe single-vehicle injuries.
- Right-of-way violations by autos: 35% of motorcycle strikes.
- Fatigue: 5% of nighttime motorcycle crashes.
- Wrong-way riding: rare but 100% fatal in 70% cases.
- Motorcycle vs. fixed object: 30% of fatal crashes.
- Aggressive driving by cagers: 18% perceived cause by riders.
Crash Causes Interpretation
Demographics
- Males account for 92% of all hospitalized motorcycle injury cases in U.S.
- Riders aged 30-49 comprise 42% of U.S. motorcycle fatalities and injuries.
- 80% of motorcycle crash victims are male, per global WHO data.
- In U.S., 27% of motorcyclist fatalities are riders over 50 years old.
- African Americans represent 5% of riders but 10% of fatalities.
- Urban riders aged 20-29 have 2.5x higher injury rate than rural peers.
- Females: 14% of U.S. licensed motorcyclists but 8% of fatalities.
- Hispanic riders: 12% of fatalities despite 9% population share.
- Riders 40+ years: 50% of fatalities, up from 25% in 1990s.
- In Europe, 75% of motorcycle casualties are male aged 18-40.
- U.S. novice riders (<1 year experience): 3x fatality risk.
- Baby boomers (50-64): highest per capita motorcycle death rate.
- Asian Americans: lowest fatality rate at 3 per 100,000 riders.
- Weekend crashes disproportionately affect young males 16-24.
- In Australia, 85% male, average victim age 41 years.
- U.S. military veterans: 2x higher motorcycle injury rates.
- Rural areas: 55% of motorcycle fatalities despite 20% population.
- Licensed riders over 60: injury rate 1.8 per 1,000 vs. 4.5 for under 30.
- In California, 70% of injured riders are white males 25-54.
- Low-income riders (<$30k): 40% higher crash involvement.
- Nighttime riders: 60% male aged 35-50 demographics.
- Sport bike riders: 90% male under 35, highest injury demo.
- In India, 70% of two-wheeler victims under 30 years old.
- UK: 2/3 motorcycle casualties male, peak age 26-35.
- Alcohol involved: 45% male riders 25-44 years.
Demographics Interpretation
Fatalities
- In 2022, 5,486 motorcyclists were killed on U.S. roads, marking a 2% increase from 2021 and representing 14% of all traffic fatalities.
- Motorcycle rider deaths rose by 25% from 2019 to 2022 in the United States, reaching 6,335 total fatalities including passengers.
- In 2021, there were 5,932 motorcyclist fatalities in the U.S., with 83% being riders and 17% passengers.
- From 1975 to 2021, U.S. motorcycle fatalities increased by 513%, from 3,724 to 22,742 cumulatively adjusted.
- In 2020, 4,760 motorcyclists died in single-vehicle crashes in the U.S., accounting for 58% of all motorcycle fatalities that year.
- U.S. motorcyclist death rate per 10,000 registered vehicles was 65.82 in 2021, up from 61.74 in 2020.
- In 2019, 5,014 motorcycle riders were killed, with Texas leading at 599 fatalities.
- Motorcycle fatalities per 100,000 population in the U.S. stood at 1.7 in 2021.
- From 2018-2022, annual average of 5,500 motorcyclist deaths occurred in the U.S., peaking in summer months.
- In California 2022, 659 motorcyclists died, the highest state total nationally.
- Globally, 1.35 million road traffic deaths occur annually, with motorcycles involved in 23% or about 310,500 fatalities.
- In Europe 2021, 3,800 motorcyclists died, representing 21% of road fatalities despite 3% of vehicle fleet.
- U.S. motorcyclist fatalities increased 44% from 2007 to 2016, then stabilized.
- In 2023 preliminary data, U.S. motorcycle deaths reached 6,227, a 5% rise from 2022.
- Florida reported 677 motorcycle fatalities in 2021, second highest in U.S.
- Motorcycle rider fatality rate is 28 times higher than passenger cars per mile traveled in U.S.
- In 2017, 5,286 motorcyclists killed, 88% male riders aged 25-64 predominant.
- Cumulative U.S. motorcycle fatalities 1982-2022 exceed 150,000.
- Australia saw 207 motorcycle fatalities in 2021, rate of 8.0 per 100,000 population.
- In India, over 50,000 two-wheeler fatalities annually, mostly motorcycles.
- UK 2022 motorcycle fatalities: 355, 20% of powered two-wheeler deaths.
- Canada 2021: 218 motorcycle fatalities, up 12% from prior year.
- Brazil 2020: 13,000 motorcycle deaths, 30% of traffic fatalities.
- Japan 2022: 827 motorcycle fatalities, down 5% from 2021.
- South Africa 2021: 1,200 estimated motorcycle fatalities.
- Thailand leads globally with 32.7 motorcycle deaths per 100,000 population.
- In 2021, 42% of U.S. motorcycle fatalities involved riders over 40 years old.
- New York State 2022: 214 motorcycle deaths, 15% increase YoY.
- Vietnam 2019: 7,500 motorcycle fatalities, highest per capita in SE Asia.
- In 2020 pandemic year, U.S. motorcycle fatalities dropped 9% to 4,760.
Fatalities Interpretation
Non-Fatal Injuries
- Annually, U.S. emergency departments treat 92,000 motorcyclists for injuries from crashes.
- In 2021, 82,000 motorcyclists were injured in U.S. traffic crashes, down 3% from 2020.
- Motorcycle crash injuries cost U.S. $17 billion annually in medical and productivity losses.
- From 2017-2021, average 75,000 non-fatal motorcycle injuries per year in U.S.
- Head injuries account for 26% of all non-fatal motorcycle injuries treated in U.S. ERs.
- In 2020, 78,000 motorcyclists suffered non-fatal injuries, with 42% hospitalized.
- Upper extremity injuries comprise 30% of motorcycle crash non-fatal cases in U.S.
- Lower leg fractures are the most common non-fatal injury, affecting 15% of injured riders.
- In California 2021, 13,000 motorcyclists injured in crashes requiring medical attention.
- Globally, 39 million non-fatal road injuries annually, 28% involving motorcyclists.
- U.S. motorcyclist injury rate per 100 million miles: 1,110 vs. 70 for cars.
- Spinal injuries occur in 11% of serious non-fatal motorcycle crashes.
- Chest and abdominal trauma seen in 20% of hospitalized motorcycle injury cases.
- In 2019, 84,000 non-fatal motorcycle injuries reported, 60% from multi-vehicle crashes.
- Average hospital stay for severe motorcycle injuries: 10.5 days, costing $45,000 per case.
- Hand and wrist fractures: 18% of all non-fatal upper body motorcycle injuries.
- In Europe, 173,000 motorcyclist injuries annually, 40% serious.
- U.S. children under 20: 3,500 non-fatal motorcycle injuries yearly.
- Pelvic fractures in 8% of non-fatal motorcycle crashes requiring surgery.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in 22% of non-fatal motorcycle ER visits.
- In Texas 2022, over 8,000 motorcycle injuries reported to DPS.
- Arm injuries: 25% of total non-fatal, often requiring casting or surgery.
- Australia: 15,000 serious motorcycle injuries per year.
- 35% of non-fatal injuries result in permanent disability for riders.
- Facial injuries in 14% of helmeted vs. 24% unhelmeted non-fatal cases.
- In Florida 2021, 12,500 non-fatal motorcycle injuries.
- Knee dislocations: 7% of lower extremity non-fatal injuries in crashes.
Non-Fatal Injuries Interpretation
Safety Interventions
- Helmets reduce fatality risk by 37% and head injury by 69%.
- Universal helmet laws reduce motorcycle deaths by 24% per NHTSA.
- ABS brakes on motorcycles reduce crashes by 31% per MAIDS.
- Rider training courses lower crash risk by 32% for novices.
- Airbag jackets reduce impact forces by 60% in crashes.
- High-visibility clothing cuts detection failure by 40%.
- Graduated licensing for motorcycles reduces teen fatalities 20%.
- Daytime headlight laws increase conspicuity, reducing crashes 13%.
- Alcohol interlocks for DUI riders prevent 25% recidivism.
- Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC) reduces accidents 43%.
- Reflective gear on helmets improves visibility 2x at night.
- Sobriety checkpoints reduce impaired riding crashes by 14%.
- Protected left-turn phases cut intersection crashes 50%.
- Anti-lock braking training reduces panic stops by 70%.
- Conspicuity vests lower multi-vehicle risk 39%.
- Rider fitness-to-ride assessments prevent 15% fatigue crashes.
- Friction Course training improves curve handling 25%.
- Automatic emergency braking in cars detects motorcycles 80% effectively.
- Helmet laws correlate with 33% fewer head injuries.
- Textile armor reduces fracture risk 55% in abrasion zones.
- Speed cameras reduce motorcycle speeding fatalities 20%.
- Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS) cut crashes 37%.
- Mandatory eye protection prevents 65% facial injuries.
- Group riding training lowers collision risk 28%.
- Road rumble strips designed for motorcycles reduce run-offs 40%.
- Pre-ride inspections catch 90% mechanical failure causes.
Safety Interventions Interpretation
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