According to statistics gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there was a significant increase in motorcycle-related deaths from 2014 to 2015 and the annual number of fatalities has remained at the higher level in subsequent years. Officials say the increase is primarily the result of cheaper gasoline costs, which put more people on the road for longer periods of time.
Here are some of the relevant statistics gathered by the NHTSA:
- Deaths jumped more than 9% from 2014 to 2015, from 4,594 to 5,029. 2016 saw the total deaths jump to 5,286, a 5.1% increase
- Of the total number of deaths in 2016, 4950 (94%) were operating the motorcycle and 336 (6%) were passengers
- More than nine of ten motorcycle fatalities in 2016 were on two-wheeled bikes—93%
- Motorcyclists were involved in 14% of all traffic fatalities
- Motorcycle accident injuries went up nationwide from 2014 to 2015—from 88,000 to 92,000
The statistics also confirm that motorcycle accidents are inherently more dangerous that other motor vehicle accidents. Per 100,000 registered vehicles, there were more than 58 fatalities involving motorcycles, compared to less than 10 per 100,000 passenger vehicles and less than 8 per 100,000 light trucks. Experts say that, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcycles are 28 times more likely to lead to a traffic death.
The statistics also indicate that weather conditions seldom contributed to a fatal motorcycle crash—less than 3% of motorcycle-related fatalities were in rain or bad weather.
Another interesting statistic supports the perception that motorcyclists as a group are getting older. In 2016, 49% of all motorcycle fatalities involved victims over the age of 40. Just 10 years earlier, the average age at the time of death was 39. In 2016, it was 43.
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