For every 100,000 registered motorcycles, 55.5 occupant deaths occur, according to the Insurance Information Institute. This is startling statistic when compared to 14.4 occupant deaths for every 100,000 registered passenger vehicles.
There are numerous factors which make motorcycles more susceptible to accidents and more dangerous for motorcyclists. While driving, motorcyclists are more exposed to weather and road conditions than drivers of passenger cars. Additionally, other drivers are less likely to see motorcyclists. When compared to four-wheel vehicles, motorcycle have far less stability.
Since the nature of motorcycles make them more prone to accidents, it is important that motorcyclists carry motorcycle insurance to protect them in the case of an accident or loss.
The Insurance Information Institute provides the following alarming motorcycle crash statistics:
- In 2013 there were 4,668 motorcycle related fatalities. This was a 6.4% improvement from 2012, when there was 4,986 motorcycle related fatalities.
- Only 64% of motorcycle occupants use a helmet while driving.
- 88,000 motorcycle related injuries were reported in 2013, this number is an improvement when compared to 93,000 motorcycle related injuries in 2012.
- The highest number of fatal motorcycle accidents occur between the hours of 3pm and 6pm, and the second highest between the hours of noon and 3pm and 6pm and 9pm.
- Fatalities of motorcyclists who are at least 40 years old account for 55% of all motorcycle related fatalities.
- Motorcycle riders with a blood alcohol content over 0.08 made up 28 percent motorcycle related fatalities in 2013.
- Speeding was a factor in 34% of all motorcycle related fatalities in 2013.
- Fatality rates in 2007 for drivers of super sports motorcycles were four times that of drivers of other motorcycles.
- In 2013, an estimated 1,630 lives were saved because of the use of helmets while driving a motorcycle. It is believe that, if all motorcyclists had worn a helmet, 715 more lives could have been saved that year.
- An estimated $16 billion was spent as a direct result of motorcycle accidents.
- It is 26 times more likely that a motorcyclist will die in an accident than an occupant of a passenger car, and 5 times more likely they will suffer from a motorcycle related injury.
These are sobering statistics, and drivers should be compelled to follow safe driving practices. The Government Account Office has recommended that grants given to states to increase motorcyclists education and training be expanded as a means of improving motorcycle safety and helmet awareness. The GAO would also like to see more research conducted with the goal of improving these statistics concerning motorcycle safety in the immediate future.
