Motorcycle Death

Motorcycle death counts continue to steadily rise in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motorcycle death rates increased roughly 55 percent since 2000. Based on miles traveled, it is estimated that motorcyclists are roughly 30 times more likely to die in a traffic accident than those in passenger vehicles.

Demographics and Contributing Factors

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) collected data on motorcycle death rates. In 2009, 90 percent of motorcycle death victims were male. In total, 31 percent of motorcycle death cases occurred in riders aged 50 and older. This age group was followed by motorcyclists aged 29 and younger. Riders in this age group accounted for 26 percent of motorcycle death cases.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that head injury is among the leading causes of motorcycle death from crashes. In roughly 35 percent of motorcycle death cases in 2011, the motorcyclists were speeding. Super sport motorcycles, also called sport bikes, account for about twice as many motorcycle death cases as cruisers and standard motorcycles. Super sport motorcycles combine light weight and high horsepower for high performance and maximized speeds.

Motorcycle Death and Helmet Use

The CDC analyzed data from the NHTSA. According to information from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), there exists a strong correlation between helmet use and motorcycle death. The data suggests that motorcycle death rates are higher among those who fail to wear a helmet. Further data shows that helmet use is roughly 37 percent effective for preventing rider motorcycle death from fatal injuries.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Many believe that the most effective way to decrease motorcycle death and injury is to implement universal helmet laws in each state. Universal helmet laws require that all motorcyclists wear a helmet. However, fewer than half of the United States enforce these laws.

As of July 2013, 19 states and the District of Columbia enforce universal helmet laws. Twenty-eight states impose partial motorcycle helmet laws which exclude certain riders from the helmet requirement. Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire are currently the only states which do not enforce any helmet laws.

The CDC analyzed state-to-state data for motorcycle death among riders who were not wearing a helmet when the fatal injury occurred. The statistics show that:

  • 12 percent of these motorcycle death cases occurred in states with universal helmet laws
  • 64 percent of these cases occurred in states with partial helmet laws
  • 79 percent of these cases occurred in states with no helmet laws

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Sources:

“2010 Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview.” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . NHTSA National Center for Statistics and Analysis, n.d. Web. 21 Jul 2013. <http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811552.pdf>.

“A Comprehensive Approach to Motorcycle Safety.” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . Web. 21 Jul 2013. <http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/safebike/approach.html>.

“Fatality Facts 2009: Motorcycles.” Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, n.d. Web. 21 Jul 2013. <http://www.iihs.org/research/fatality.aspx?topicName=Motorcycles&year=2009>.

“Motorcycle Crash-Related Data.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 Jun 2012. Web. 21 Jul 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsMotorcycleSafety/>.

Muller, Andreas. “Florida’s Motorcycle Helmet Law Repeal and Fatality Rates.” American Journal of Public Health. 94.4 (2004): 556-558. Print.

Naumann, Rebecca. “Helmet Use Among Motorcyclists Who Died in Crashes and Economic Cost Savings Associated With State Motorcycle Helmet Laws — United States, 2008–2010.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 61.23 (2012): 425-430. Print.

“Q&A: Motorcycles — general.” Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, n.d. Web. 21 Jul 2013. <http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/motorcycles.aspx>.