Motorcycle safety fact sheet - NHTSA Aug 2019 w/2017 data

Joesmoe

IMOKUR2
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Aug 3, 2014
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Fairfax, Virginia
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Triumph: 2014 Rocket III Touring
Bunch of data contained in ten pages:

Overview In 2017:

• There were 5,172 motorcyclists killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes – a decrease of 3 percent from the 5,337 motorcyclists killed in 2016.

• Two-wheeled motorcycles accounted for 91 percent of all motorcycles in fatal crashes.

• Motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities and 17 percent of all occupant (driver and passenger) fatalities.

• Of the 5,172 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes, 94 percent (4,885) were riders and 6 percent (287) were passengers. Table 1 presents information about motorcyclists killed and injured from 2008 to 2017. From 2008 to 2017, motorcyclist fatalities decreased by 3 percent and peaked around 2008 and again in 2016. Motorcyclist fatalities increased from 4,594 in 2014 to 5,029 in 2015 to 5,337 in 2016 and then decreased to 5,172 in 2017. The number of registered motorcycles and motorcycle vehicle miles traveled (VMT) are also presented in Table 1, along with the respective fatality and injury rates.

And telling - the risk we incur -

Motorcycles are more dangerous than cars:

Motorcycles made up 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2017 and accounted for only 0.6 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Per registered vehicle, the fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2017 was 6 times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants, as shown in Table 2. Per VMT in 2017, motorcyclist fatalities occurred nearly 27 times more frequently than passenger car occupant fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes.
 
It's good to see they decreased, but still high.

I worked for Mercedes Benz for a little while and they are very big on safety. During training the trainers were surprised that I did not get as excited about all their safety features as everyone else seemed to. Then I reminded them that I rode a motorcycle to work.

However, I suspect that one of the laws of unintended consequences is that as drivers feel more and more comfortable and safe in the vehicles they are driving, they pay less and less attention to what is going on around them. When riding a motorcycle you have to assume that everyone is trying to kill you - and then ride accordingly. There is one school of thought that everyone should be required to ride a motorcycle for 12 months before being allowed to drive a car - that way they would be more aware of what is happening around them.
 
Yes it was down a couple hundred. To me thats like going out of your way to monitor cancer deaths! I'm sure the casualty numbers very there. Its all sad :(
 
I'd like to see the stats naturalized over experience (miles ridden) versus fault.

I would reckon the yute riders, single motor crashes would comprise a huge percentage.

Also what percentage of cage involved crashes are the rider's fault.
 
Did The fatalities dropped because driver are getting better at texting and driving??? Do Autonomous safety features help?? Maybe those god dam rumble strips in the center of the road! If everyone paid more attention to driving I bet we could cut those numbers in half in just one year!
 
Did The fatalities dropped because driver are getting better at texting and driving??? Do Autonomous safety features help?? Maybe those god dam rumble strips in the center of the road! If everyone paid more attention to driving I bet we could cut those numbers in half in just one year!

Foot wide rumble cuts into the pavement center line area were the cause of my off and multiple fractures to each of 3 leg & ankle bones a few years ago. Fortunately I was only going 25 mph.
The Civil engineers have studies that support their safety and reduction in lane crossing.
Regarding motors, I disagree! But then I be just a bike-rat . . .
 
I'd like to see the stats naturalized over experience (miles ridden) versus fault.

I would reckon the yute riders, single motor crashes would comprise a huge percentage.

Also what percentage of cage involved crashes are the rider's fault.

I spoke to a woman who knows another woman involved in the research. She confirmed that there is data on experience, and said there is a break in the frequency after three years. That ought to give comfort to most of us here.
 
I spoke to a woman who knows another woman involved in the research. She confirmed that there is data on experience, and said there is a break in the frequency after three years. That ought to give comfort to most of us here.

Reckoned there would be.
Huge reason I ride the Country and do mot commute or frequently ride in the city.
 
Interesting statistics. We understand the reality of riding a motorcycle. But I’d be interested to see the breakdown in fatality rates in states with mandatory helmet laws versus those without. I recognize there are a lot of motorcyclist to choose to wear insufficient head protection with novelty Helmets which affects the statistics. However, I think it will be telling. In addition to rider responsibility, we’ve made great advances in fashionable and more effective riding protection.
 
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