May Is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

As Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month gets underway, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging drivers to share the road amid rising motorcyclist fatalities on U.S. roads. You'll be seeing messaging about motorcycle safety throughout the month as federal safety regulators work to spread the message that "Motorcyclists' Safety is Everyone's Safety."

Federal safety regulators say motorcyclist deaths were nearly 28 times higher than the passenger car occupant fatality rate in traffic crashes in 2023.  According to new NHTSA data, there were 31.39 motorcyclist fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2023, as compared to 1.13 passenger car occupant fatalities. 

NHTSA says traffic deaths involving motorcyclists have remained steady - and it's committed to saving more lives through sustained and focused action.

“Far too many motorcyclists are still being killed or injured in traffic crashes across America. These tragedies are preventable, and it is essential that both riders and drivers pay close attention to their driving habits and to each other while out on the roads,” NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said. “This month, and year-round, we want everyone to remember that motorcyclists’ safety is everyone’s safety.” 

Here's a look at a few recent stats:

• In 2023, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes, representing 15% of all traffic fatalities and an increase of 1.3% compared to 2022.
• The number of motorcyclists injured in traffic crashes declined slightly in 2023, with an estimated 82,564 injured, a 0.2% decrease. 
• Among those aged 15 to 20, motorcyclist fatalities increased by 44%, to 505 in 2023 from 350 in 2022. 

NHTSA says while alcohol impairment continues to play a significant role in motorcycle-involved crash fatalities, the number of alcohol-impaired riders involved in fatal traffic crashes decreased to 1,668 in 2023 from 1,772 in 2022, representing a nearly 6% decline. However, data shows that 41% of riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2023 were alcohol impaired. 

The numbers also show how important it is for riders to wear a DOT-compliant helmet. NHTSA reports that in states that don't have universal helmet laws, based on known helmet use, 51% of motorcyclists killed in 2023 were not wearing helmets, as compared to 10% in states with universal helmet laws. 

It's also important to have a valid motorcycle license. NHTSA says 34% of motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes in 2023 were riding without one.

Vehicle drivers and motorcyclists can follow these tips to help save lives:

• Observing all traffic laws and obeying the speed limit.
• Driving and riding alcohol- and drug-free.
• Avoiding distractions while driving or riding.
• Yielding to motorcyclists, especially when drivers are turning at intersections.
• Wearing high-visibility protective gear and DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets while riding.  
• Completing a motorcycle rider education and training course. 

For more information on motorcycle safety, visit NHTSA.gov/Road-Safety/Motorcycles.

Photo Credit:  NHTSA.