How Many Motorcycle Accidents Are Fatal?
How Many Motorcycle Accidents Are Fatal?
When a motorcycle crashes with a car, the odds are 80 percent that the rider will sustain an injury or death. In a motorcycle crash, alcohol is often a factor, and most collisions occur on rural roads. This article explores the factors that can lead to the likelihood of a fatal motorcycle accident and the factors that can prevent them.
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2,811 fatalities in 2018
Motorcycle accidents are dangerous and often result in fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 2,811 people died in motorcycle accidents in 2018. In 2018, more than six in every ten motorcycle crashes involved a collision with a vehicle. Most of these crashes took place on a public road, and only 2 percent involved private property. Motorcycles are also more vulnerable to accidents than cars, so riding responsibly is important.
80% chance of injury or death in a motorcycle accident
Motorcycle accidents are particularly dangerous, particularly for inexperienced riders. Young riders have a 2.5-fold higher risk of dying in a motorcycle crash than older riders. As a result, ten percent of young motorcyclists die in motorcycle crashes each year. In the United States, one motorcycle crash occurs every two minutes. The mortality rate in motorcycle crashes is twice that of car occupants.
Most collisions occur on rural roads
A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that rural roads account for 42% of all motorcycle fatalities. This is even though urban roads account for 85% of fatal motorcycle crashes. In rural areas, motorcyclists are far more likely to test their cornering skills and be overlooked by other drivers.
Alcohol is a factor
In 2016, there were 5,268 motorcycle fatalities in the United States, and a quarter of them was alcohol-impaired. The percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers in motorcycle crashes was much higher than that in passenger cars, light trucks, and large trucks. In a recent study, alcohol contributed to about one-quarter of motorcycle fatalities. In some cases, the alcohol-impaired driver may be the driver of another vehicle, but in most cases, the motorcycle driver was the drunk one.
Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than passenger vehicle occupants
Motorcycle accidents are one of the most common types of vehicle-related fatalities. Despite accounting for less than 3% of the vehicles on the road, motorcycles are still responsible for over 4,000 deaths per year. Moreover, motorcyclists are much more likely to suffer from alcohol impairment than other drivers. Over 80% of motorcycle crashes result in injury. For this reason, it’s essential to be aware of your surroundings and take proper precautions when driving.
An increasing number of crashes occur on weekends
According to new research, an increasing number of motorcycle accidents are fatal on weekends. The study found that riders aged 40 to 49 were more likely to be involved in a fatal accident on the weekend compared to those in other age groups. The majority of fatal motorcycle crashes occurred in clear and cloudy weather, with just 3% occurring in rain or fog. While most motorcycle accidents occur during the day, many happen at night, especially on busy weekends.