What Percentage Of Motorcycle Riders Get In Fatal Accidents?
What Percentage of Motorcycle Riders Get in Fatal Accidents?
If you are a new motorcycle rider, you might be wondering, “What percentage of motorcycle riders get in fatal accidents?” There are many factors to consider. Some riders are more at risk than others. For example, men are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than women. Age also plays a role. In 2020, the highest fatality rate for motorcyclists was among those aged 25-29.
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14%
Motorcycle fatalities occur for a variety of reasons. One major factor is the fact that motorcycles are more vulnerable to crashes than other vehicles. For instance, in 2000, nearly half of fatal crashes involved a motorcycle. Another major factor is speeding. In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 22 percent of motorcycle drivers were speeding, compared to only seven percent of all drivers. This increased to 45 percent for motorcycle riders aged 25 to 29.
Caucasian
Motorcycle accidents kill more Caucasian riders than any other race. While the number of fatalities varies by state, Caucasian motorcycle riders have a higher death rate than other races. These crashes are usually the result of drunken driving and disobeying traffic laws.
Male
A recent study shows that male motorcycle riders are more likely to die in fatal motorcycle crashes than female motorcyclists. The most common causes of motorcycle fatalities include speeding, riding drunk, lane splitting, and abrupt lane changes. Motorcycle fatality rates are also higher for males ages 30 and up than for females. Male motorcyclists are more likely to die in frontal collisions than in other types of accidents. In 2016, male motorcycle drivers were involved in nearly three times as many fatal crashes as female motorcyclists.
Middle-aged
It is not surprising that middle-aged motorcycle riders are more likely to be involved in fatal motorcycle accidents. These crashes often occur because older motorcycle operators are not equipped to handle the massive machines. According to the manager of the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program at the Illinois Department of Transportation, similar trends have been observed in other states as well.
Wearing a helmet
Wearing a helmet is an important safety measure to protect the brain in an accident. Research has shown that wearing a helmet significantly decreases the risk of fatal motorcycle accidents. A study in Florida compared police-reported crashes from 1998 to 2002. The study also noted that helmet laws reduced fatalities.
At intersections
Motorcycle accidents are among the most dangerous types of crashes, and they often happen at intersections. These accidents are frequently caused by negligent drivers. Because motorcycles have no bumpers, they are especially vulnerable to rear-end collisions. The impact can send the motorcycle crashing into oncoming traffic, causing serious and fatal injuries to its occupants. Moreover, many of these collisions take place in unprotected intersections, with little or no safety infrastructure.
Nighttime
The majority of motorcycle accidents occur during daylight hours, but nearly a third of fatal accidents occur at night. Motorcycle crashes at night are largely due to driver intoxication, alcohol, or both. While the percentage of motorcycle fatalities at night is still low, it is increasing. Alcohol is a significant contributing factor in motorcycle accidents, as is the presence of heavy traffic.
Alcohol-impaired riders
Alcohol impairs motorcyclists’ reflexes, alertness, and braking behavior. Because motorcycles have a much longer stopping distance than cars, impaired motorcyclists are more likely to crash while riding. In addition, intoxicated riders are less likely to recognize other vehicles on the road and are less likely to drive in a straight line. They are also more likely to swerve and cross lanes.