Sobering statistics for motorcycle crashes/fatalities

[Rascus]

Interesting little break down of stats

June 2004 A Brief Statistical Summary Published by the Mathematical Analysis Division DOT HS 809 734
Motorcycle Riders in Fatal Crashes
PDF Version

Background: Since 1997, motorcycle rider fatalities have increased each year, according to the recently released estimate from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) 2003 Early Assessment. Over the past three years NHTSA's National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) has released several technical reports and research notes analyzing the increasing trend in motorcycle rider fatalities. This note is a compilation of various crash facts relating to motorcycle rider fatalities from 1997 to 2003. The fatal crash data are from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and exposure data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Trend Data: Motorcycle rider fatalities, following a longer-term trend, declined each year from 1993 to 1997, reaching a historic low of 2,116 in 1997. Motorcycle rider fatalities increased each year between 1997 and 2003 with a total increase of 1,476 or 70 percent. According to early estimates, 43,220 people died in traffic crashes in 2003, a net change of 405 from 2002 (Table 1). In the same period, motorcycle crash fatalities increased by 348. While other types of crashes have also contributed to the net increase in fatalities, motorcycles, which made up about 2 percent of all registered vehicles and 0.3 percent of all vehicle miles traveled (VMT), accounted for over 8 percent of the fatalities in 2003 compared to 5 per*cent in 1997, a significant increase as a component of the annual loss of life in traffic crashes.

Table 1
Motorcycle Rider Fatalities and Trends in Summary Statistics

Fatalities 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003*
Total Fatalities 42,013 41,501 41,717 41,945 42,196 42,815 43,220
Change
--- - 512 + 216 + 228 + 251 + 619 + 405
Motorcycle Rider Fatalities 2,116 2,294 2,483 2,897 3,197 3,244 3,592
Change
--- + 178 + 189 + 414 + 300 + 47 + 348
Motorcycle Riders
(% of Total) 5.0% 5.5% 6.0% 6.9% 7.6% 7.6% 8.3%
Source: FARS 1997-2001 (Final), 2002 (ARF), 2003 (EAF) *2003 exposure data not available.


Fatality Rates

Fatality rates have increased in recent years (Table 2) which implies that rate of increase in fatalities has outpaced the rate of increase in motorcycle expo*sure (VMT and registered vehicles).


Fatalities per 100 million VMT are 33.96, up from 20.99 in 1997 (61 percent increase) and per 100,000 registered vehicles 64.82, up from 55.30 in 1997 (17 percent increase).


Compared with a passenger car occupant, a motorcycle rider is 26 times more likely to die in a crash, based on vehicle miles traveled.

Table 2
Motorcycle Rider Fatality Rates by Year

Fatality Rate 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003*
/100 Million VMT 20.99 22.31 23.46 27.67 33.17 33.96 ---
/100K Reg. Vehicles
55.30 59.13 59.80 66.66 65.20 64.82 ---
Source: FARS 1997-2001 (Final), 2002 (ARF) FHWA *2003 exposure data not available.

The following facts present some of the findings from the various analyses completed by NCSA, which explain the characteristics and magnitude of the fatal motor*cycle crash problem.


Motorcycle Helmets

In 2003, fifty two percent of fatally injured motorcycle riders were unhelmeted.


Two-thirds of unhelmeted fatalities were in states without a universal helmet law.


NHTSA research shows that, in potentially fatal crashes, helmets have an overall effectiveness of 37 percent in preventing fatalities.


In 2002, helmets saved an estimated 1,005 lives.


At 100 percent use, an additional 579 lives could have been saved in 2002 alone.


Only 58 percent of motorcyclists were observed to be wearing helmets according to the 2002 National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS).

Rider Characteristics

The largest ten-year age group of rider fatalities is the 20 to 29 year olds.


However, 46 percent are age 40 or over, a group that has grown steadily from 21 percent in 1993.


Forty percent of fatally injured operators tested positive for alcohol, and 32 percent had a BAC of 0.08 or higher.


Alcohol use was highest among operators 40 to 49 years old, followed by those 30 to 39 years old.


Of operators 40 to 49 years old, 41 percent had a BAC of 0.08 or higher.


Of operators 30 to 39 years old, 39 percent had a BAC of 0.08 or higher.


Twenty-five percent of operators involved in fatal crashes had an invalid license.

Crash Characteristics

Almost half (about 46 percent) of fatal motorcycle crashes are single vehicle.


More fatalities occur on rural than urban roads, reversing a trend that existed from 1990 through 1997.


A majority of the crashes occur on undivided roadways (70 per*cent) and roadways with median and no barriers (20 percent).


Of fatal crashes that occur at night (6:00 PM to 6:00 AM) 58 percent involve alcohol compared to only 18 percent during the day.


Of weekend fatal crashes 45 percent are alcohol related compared with 32 percent of weekday crashes.


In single vehicle crashes, 52 per*cent are alcohol related compared with 28 percent of multi-vehicle crashes.


Larger motorcycles are figuring more prominently in fatal crashes. The percentage of fatally injured riders of motorcycles with engine displacements of 1,001 to 1,500 cc has risen from about 28 percent in 1993 to about 38 percent in 2002.


Mean engine size involved in a fatal crash has steadily increased from 820 cc in 1993 to 999 cc in 2002.


Two-thirds of the riders killed on 1,001-1,500 cc engine size were 40 and over years old.

[Rascus]

Originally Posted by Rascus

Two-thirds of the riders killed on 1,001-1,500 cc engine size were 40 and over years old.

I believe this one is due to Harley/Cruiser riders

wanted to put out the flame before it started

[beowulf2k]

Sigh* more of this??!!

[Rascus]

More of what??

[Kastivich]

There is some interesting stuff there. Thanks for posting. Seems like you avoid alot of danger by riding sober, with a helmet, and within your ability.

But damn 26 times more likely to die

[todd99zx6r]

I agree Rascus on this one. Look at how many 40+ year olds that have never ridden before go and jump on a $25k Harley that weighs 700lbs. I wonder if on the Harley board they tell noobs to start small?

[linuxbikr]

Originally Posted by todd99zx6r

I agree Rascus on this one. Look at how many 40+ year olds that have never ridden before go and jump on a $25k Harley that weighs 700lbs. I wonder if on the Harley board they tell noobs to start small?

Probably not. Stigma of being caught on a "girl's bike" (Sportster). Real men ride Fat Boys and Dyna Glides. After all, most 40-50 year olds are into their "youth recapture" stage and are compensating for a great many things.

As to fatalities, not surprising. Easy way to avoid becoming a statistic:

- Don't drink
- Wear a helmet (and full gear, even if you survive, pain sucks)
- Slow down on unfamiliar or twisty roads

Do those three simple things and your odds of not being involved in a wreck go way, way up. Can't do much about cages except stay aware and assume you're surrounded by serial killers.

[drnknmnky13]

At 100 percent use, an additional 579 lives could have been saved in 2002 alone.

I'm not 100% convinced that's a good thing.

[Firekrakcer]

Good info thanks for digging it up (from years ago).

[drnknmnky13]

Originally Posted by Firekrakcer

Good info thanks for digging it up (from years ago).

I like that this site offers threads like the one your reading. I was reading a thread... looked down and saw this one in the related threads box.

And here we are

[Smooth7]

nice post.
Some things that stuck out at me:

"Compared with a passenger car occupant, a motorcycle rider is 26 times more likely to die in a crash, based on vehicle miles traveled."


"In 2003, fifty two percent of fatally injured motorcycle riders were unhelmeted."


"The largest ten-year age group of rider fatalities is the 20 to 29 year olds."


"Forty percent of fatally injured operators tested positive for alcohol, and 32 percent had a BAC of 0.08 or higher."


"Mean engine size involved in a fatal crash has steadily increased from 820 cc in 1993 to 999 cc in 2002"




so....wear a helmet, dont drink and ride, start small, and dont be my age

[adambomber707]

I always wear my gear, never drink and ride, started small...but I'm of a deadly age I guess! Damn kids

[dm_gsxr]

Earlier I posted a couple of videos from Moonrider. She did an article in Motorcycle Consumer News that said the increase of SUVs and large pickups are a significant reason for the increase in fatalities.

Mainly, if you hit a car, you high side up and over the car and then slide on the ground. There's less of a chance of serious injury unless you hit a solid object. With the increase of larger vehicles, when you hit the truck or SUV, it's a sudden stop vs a sliding stop.

And of course, don't drink, wear a helmet, and don't drive like a maniac

Carl

[IwakuniDiver]

In hanging out with some Harley riders on a more regular basis I have learned some "beliefs" from that side of the fence that I think paints a clearer picture on those statistics.

Now of course I'm not here to bash Harley riders since some of my closest friends own Harleys. I'm just talking about a "general" observation of a different mindset restricted to an isolated community overseas.

Most Harley riders think a 1200cc Sportster is a "little" bike and for noobies.
There's a common belief that "Loud pipes save lives"
Half-shell helmets and sunglasses are the "norm"
Close formation riding is safer
More likely to have a beer or two and hop on their bike.
Average age of most Harley owners is around 45 here.

Now not all their practices are bad...
Strict adherence to the use of hand signals to warn riders behind them.
Most are simply out to "cruise" and not see how fast or hard they can ride.
They take incredible care of their bikes.
Stunting or riding like an idiot on the street is seriously looked down upon.
Tend to attract more chicks (here in Japan anyway)

I wonder if us Gen-X'ers will be the first generation to not have a "mid-life crisis"? The reason I think that is because most of the people I know in my age group never slowed down in their thirty's. Kinda hard to relive your youth if you never stopped acting young.

Scott

[ithicaplasma]

You can reduce you chance of becoming a statistic by not riding

• without a helmet
• without a proper endorcment
• without training
• after kicking back a few beers
• faster than your abilities allow

To summarize: Dont be a Dumbass