Accident Statistics

I am fond of facts and figures.

Here are some sobering statistics to keep us all safer (so we can continue to adore alliteration ;o) ....

From the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report for 2016 ....

(I made one of the facts bold for emphasis: NEVER assume a car turning in front of you sees you ... flash the brights, weave, wave, slow down as if to avoid a crash if you're not sure, etc.)

* 67% of motorcycle fatalities occured away from intersections

* 59% of motorcycle fatalities occured in daylight

* 97% of motorcycle fatalities occured in clear to cloudy conditions (2% occured in rain)

* 91% of motorcycle fatalities occured on non-interstate roads

* 72% of motorcycles in accidents were impacted from the front

* 41% of motorcycles in fatal accidents collided with a vehicle turning in front of them

* 23% of motorcycle fatalities involved colliding with a fixed object (tree, road sign, etc.)

* 33% of motorcycle fatalities involved speeding by the motorcycles

* The average age of a motorcyclist in a fatal accident is 43 (and trending older)

* 27% of motorcycle riders in fatal accidents were not properly licensed

* 32% of motorcycle riders in fatal accidents were alcohol-impaired (BAC of .08 or higher)

* 50% of motorcycle riders in fatal accidents were not wearing helmets

* Helmets are estimated to be 37-percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders. In other words, for every 100 motorcyclists killed in crashes while not wearing helmets, 37 could have been saved with helmets

Yes a 41% er got me big time 1973 as a matter of fact everything from the start of the article down to the 41% applied and possibly alcohol related to boot.

Great stats Mike! BE AWARE of your surroundings! WEAR a helmet; even if not cool! I rode with several guys in the Legion Riders in Arizona and most of the HD riders did NOT wear a brain bucket, (not required in Arizona). Now I belong to a Chapter in NV (helmets required) and all riders had them on. Nice change in my book.

I liken a helmet to a seat belt in your car... It does not guarantee you won't be killed but it improves your odds. Note stats above.

Very interesting stats.
32% alcohol related fatalities....? That's shockingly high.

Don't you think that everyone on here is already well aware of the risks associated with motorcycle/maxi scooter riding, you don't need statistics. Yet in some US states you don't have to wear a helmet,  so pose value, freedom, or whatever excuse you care to use is valued over head protection.

It's pretty much the same mindset in warmer drier and humid states where no helmet, t shirts, vests, shorts, fingerless or no gloves, and sandals are normal riding wear. Yes, it may be hot and uncomfortable sweating even in lightweight gear, but at least you'll have all your skin and tissue in the event of a crash.

Group riding, well that's another thing all together, I'm not a fan of it and never have been. There's been posts on here and other forums that it's fine to go out and ride in the current climate for non essential reasons if you stay away from others. Because you could fall down the stairs at home, or one I read on Maggies's form, crack your head in the shower.

So getting together with any bunch of riders whatever their choice of headwear, then all going off your separate ways while Covid-19 is ravaging your country is criminally irresponsible. Whether or not you're lockdown

As for wearing helmets, it's like that old forum favourite open face v full face. Riders are always going to say full face hemets are safer aren't they, but when I read in my local news of any fatal motorcycle accident or collision, it's almost certain the rider was wearing a full face hemet not an open face.


Don't mind me I'm not having a rant, I'm a bit of an insomniac these days.


Stay Safe.

"32% alcohol related fatalities....? That's shockingly high."

Based on your comment, I went back and looked at the data. 32% is accurate as far as "alcohol-related," but this puts a little finer point on it ....

25% of motorcycle fatalities in fatal accidents were alcohol-impaired (BAC of .08 or higher).

An additional 7% of fatalities were not .08 BAC or higher but were under the influence.

Thus, 32% had been drinking but 25% were what you might call "bombed."

Still, it's a high percentage.

Thank you for the additional info.
I'm still very surprised but no wonder why insurance rates are so high.

"no wonder why insurance rates are so high."

Are they high? (serious question)

I think they're a bargain, at least where I am.

I just got my renewal bill from Allstate. For one year, it's $137 for my '16 Burgman 650 and $110 for my 2008 Silver Wing, total $247 a year for two bikes. That includes collision, comprehensive, towing  and 24/7 roadside assistance.

In Florida, motorcycle insurance is not legally required. So maybe it's cheaper here because the companies figure at least they get SOME income if they write policies for lower-than-normal premiums.

Delray wrote:

In Florida, motorcycle insurance is not legally required. So maybe it's cheaper here because the companies figure at least they get SOME income if they write policies for lower-than-normal premiums.

Wow! I'm moving to Florida.  
I got quotes as high as CDN$2,600/year. So far, the best is CDN$1,100. It doesn't matter that I got my motorcycle license in 1972 and rode accident free for 15 years back then. Now, when I'm getting back to riding again, I'm being treated as a new and inexperienced rider by the insurance companies.

Florida has a long history of laws that favor personal freedom ....

No helmet required.

No motorcycle insurance required.

No annual vehicle safety inspection (for cars and motorcycles).

There's also no personal income tax, and thus no annual state tax return.

Can't say I agree with all of them, but I sure have enjoyed all of them at times.

Keep all that Florida good stuff quiet. Many are moving down there from high tax states and I don't blame them. Leaving NY. Calf. etc Cost of living, taxes and crime. I could say more.

Really $ 2600-1100 for insurance. Season is short up there 6 months at best.

Personal choices on gear are your discretion. Helmet is a NO BRAINer.

"Keep all that Florida good stuff quiet. Many are moving down there from high tax states ... Leaving NY. Calf. etc Cost of living, taxes and crime."

According to the U.S. Census, Florida is #1 behind Texas for fastest growing population. Unfortunately, all those nice folks relocating here from New York and environs have brought along their high costs of living, crime, crowded streets, rudness, etc.

A lot of people move here expecting paradise. But unless you're wealthy enough to live next to the ocean or someplace similarly nice, South Florida can be very hot, crowded and expensive. I see lots of unhappy, angry faces in my travels.

On the plus side, it's always summer. The beaches are near. The ocean water is clean and you can't walk 300 yards without coming across a heated swimming pool. My favorite part? You can ride a motorcycle 365 days a year, barring the occasional CAT 5 hurricane, of course.

I am planning to escape the heat of summer this year for a month or so to my hometown of Rochester, New York. I will enjoy many rides along Lake Ontario and through the Finger Lakes. Beautiful country.

A lot of people move here expecting paradise. But unless you're wealthy enough to live next to the ocean or someplace similarly nice, South Florida can be very hot, crowded and expensive. I see lots of unhappy, angry faces in my travels. : you forgot the thrill of everyday NASCAR driving on I-95 )

"you forgot the thrill of everyday NASCAR driving on I-95 )"

That's the truth. I won't go near I-95 on Saturday nights. That's when the speed bikes come out. I've been passed by sport bikes going well over 100 mph -- I'd be doing 75 mph and they'd whoosh by me like I was a little old lady on a Sunday drive, zooming across six lanes of traffic like it's one big racetrack created just for them. The cops gave up chasing them long ago because it's too dangerous for other drivers.

Driving in the HOV lane at 10 to 20 mph OVER the speed limit and have someone tailgate you so they can go FASTER. I asked about this and was told the rule is move over for faster vehicles, the gent said they never say how fast fast is so MOVE OVER. Moves I've seen out there defy NASCAR ability such as pitting AKA getting onto an off ramp.