Year | Deaths | Injuries | Registered |
---|---|---|---|
1975 | 3,106 | ||
1976 | 3,232 | ||
1977 | 4,004 | ||
1978 | 4,448 | ||
1979 | 4,712 | ||
1980 | 4,955 | ||
1981 | 4,737 | ||
1982 | 4,267 | ||
1983 | 4,099 | ||
1984 | 4,425 | ||
1985 | 4,415 | ||
1986 | 4,309 | ||
1987 | 3,832 | ||
1988 | 3,491 | ||
1989 | 3,030 | ||
1990 | 3,128 | ||
1991 | 2,702 | ||
1992 | 2,291 | ||
1993 | 2,346 | ||
1994 | 2,320 (IIHS 2,215) | ||
1995 | 2,227 | ||
1996 | 2,161 | ||
1997 | 2,116 | 3.8 million [2] | |
1998 | 2,294 | 49,000 [3] | 3.9 million [2] |
1999 | 2,483 | 50,000 [3] | 4.2 million [2] |
2000 | 2,897 | 58,000 [3] | 4.3 million [2] |
2001 | 3,197† | 60,000 [3] | 4.9 million [2] |
2002 | 3,244 | 65,000 [3] | 5.0 million [2] |
2003 | 3,661‡ | 76,000 [3] | 5.4 million [2] |
2004 | 4,028 | 76,000 [3] | 5.8 million [2] |
2005 | 4,576 | 87,000 [3] | 6.2 million [2] |
2006 | 4,837 | 88,000 [3] | 6.7 million [2] |
2007 | 5,174 | 103,000 [3] | 7.1 million [2] |
2008 | 5,312 (5,290) | 96,000 [3] | |
2009 | 4,462 (4,469) [4] | 90,000 [4] | |
2010 | 4,502 | 82,000 [4] | |
2011 | 4,612 (4,403) [5] | 81,000 [6] | |
2012 | 4,695 [5] | 93,000 [7] | |
2013 | 4,402 [5] 4,688 [7] | 88,000 [7] | |
2014 | 4,295 [5] | 92,000 [7] | |
2015 | 4,976 | ||
2016 | 5,286 | ||
2017 | 5,172 [5] | 89,000 | |
† some NHTSA lists show 3,181 ‡ some NHTSA lists show 3,714 |
This is a list of numbers of motorcycle deaths in U.S. by year from 1994 to 2014. United States motorcycle fatalities increased every year for 11 years after reaching a historic low of 2,116 fatalities in 1997, then increased to over 5,000 around 2008 and then plateaued in the 4 to 5 thousands range in the 2010s. In nine years motorcycle deaths more than doubled from the late 1990s to 2008. Despite providing less than 1% of miles driven, they made up 15% of traffic deaths in 2012. [8]
Since about 2004 over 4,000 people have died every year up to 2014 in motorcycle accidents, and in 2007 and 2008 deaths exceeded 5,000 per year. [5] At the same time occupant deaths of other types of vehicles have decreased in the 21st century, so motorcycle accident deaths have become an increased share of all deaths and noted for being 26 times more deadly than cars. [5] Operators of sport motorcycle models had a higher rate of death compared to other motorcycle types, and speeding was noted in roughly half of fatal sport and super sport accidents compared to about a fifth for fatal accidents of other types. [7] Sport and super sport riders were also likely to be younger among those involved in a fatal accident, with an average age of 27 (for the year 2005). [7] The number of fatalities of those under 30 has gone from 80% percent in 1975 to 30% in 2014. [5]
Nearly half of all deadly accidents involve only the motorcycle (so-called single-vehicle accidents) and a major issue is the loss of control during a bend in the road. [5] [9] There is a reported 80% chance of injury or death on a motorcycle in the event of an accident, compared to about 20% for passenger vehicles. [10] Of the other over half of fatal accidents that do involve multiple vehicles, more than 75% involve head-on collisions, especially with vehicles that cross the lane of traffic but failed to spot the motorcycle.
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
Between 1966 and 2008, the NHTSA estimated 148,000 people died in motorcycle accidents. [3] In 2010, motorcycle accident fatalities accounted for 14% of all accident fatalities. [4] It was also 14% in 2008. [3] In 2008, 47% of fatal accidents were with another vehicle, and of those 77% involved a head-on collision with a motorcycle and in 7% the motorcycle was struck from behind. [3] 59% of those killed were wearing a helmet, which were estimated to give a 37% increased chance of overall survival and reduction in the chance of a head injury; helmet use has been the subject of various studies and laws. [3] In 2013, 6% of the fatalities were passengers (non-operator) of the total deaths that year for motorcycles 4,688. [7]
From 1980 motorcycle ownership among riders aged 40 and over increased dramatically, from 15.1 percent of all riders in 1980 to 43.7 percent in 1998. The mean engine displacement of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes also increased, from an average engine size of 769 cc (46.9 cu in) in 1990, to 959 cc (58.5 cu in) in 2001, an increase of 24.7 percent. [12] It has been suggested that the combination of older riders on higher-powered motorcycles might have been partially responsible for the increase in motorcycle deaths from the late 1990s until 2004. [12] Blunt abdominal trauma can be caused by a motorcycle accident, and can damage the testes and intestines. [13]
Half of motorcycle fatalities in single-vehicle crashes relate to problems negotiating a curve prior to a crash—almost 60 percent of motorcyclist fatalities in single-vehicle crashes occur at night. [9] However, even when riders survive, around 10% of trauma injuries include damage to the genital area, such as due to the collision of that area with a bike's gas tank. [14]
In 2009, motorcycle fatalities in the US declined for the first time in 11 years but remained above 4000; that year's total dropped from 5,312 to 4,469 (between 2008 and 2009). [1] Automobile fatalities continued to decline for the seventh straight year before 2011. [15] A decline in recreational motorcycling due to the late-2000s recession might account for the decrease in accidents, according to the authors of a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), but a state motorcyclists' rights organization, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, said motorcycle use appeared to have increased, influenced by motorcycles' better fuel economy. [16] A preliminary report by the GHSA estimated that the number of motorcyclist deaths in 2012 was more than 5,000, a 9% increase over 2011. [17]
In the USA during the 2010s, motorcycles comprised about 2% of registered vehicles (about 6 million bikes registered), but 14 percent of all fatal accidents. [18] In addition, the rate of accidents per mile has gone up from the 1980s and was not due to increased ridership. [18] One study evaluated motorcycles as being 37 times more dangerous for a fatal accident than a car. [18]
Motorcycle accidents were the leading non-combat cause of death for US service members. [19] Between 1999 and 2012 4,423 died in combined motor vehicle deaths including motorcycles. [20] Of those 1,134 died in motorcycle crashes. [21] Between 2001 and 2008, the portion of fatalities from motorcycles tripled, and by 2008 was almost 40% of overall vehicle fatalities. [20] Motorcycle deaths have come under increased attention because other types of non-motorcycle fatalities have decreased, so motorcycle fatalities became an increased share of deaths. [20] The fatalities echoed the national statistics with motorcycle fatalities of 4,927 deaths being 15 percent of all traffic deaths in 2012, even though motorcycles are three percent of vehicles. [22] However, they account for a relatively smaller amount of the total miles traveled (motorcycles are often only driven in good weather) about 0.7% of all vehicles miles traveled 2012. [8] (About half a million people to a million people would die each year if cars had a similar accident rate, all else being equal.)
93% of the crashes in 2012 involved a two-wheeled motorcycle. [23] (see also Motorized tricycle)
Of 4,957 killed in 2012 on motorcycles, 7% were passengers. [23] Combined driver and passenger deaths for motorcycles were 18% of all driver and passenger deaths in 2012 for all vehicles. [23] This is for just 0.7% out of all vehicles miles driven in the US that year. [23]
By 2014 a rear-ending occurred every 17 seconds on the US road system, and improvements to cars especially in regards to headrests have reduced whiplash and other neck and back injuries related to this. [24] One hope may be Collision avoidance systems on more vehicles.
However, it is head-on collisions with cars that make up one of the biggest types of fatal collisions. Of the 56% of fatal collisions with other vehicles, 78% percent were head-on collisions and 5% were a fatal rear-ending of the motorcycle by another vehicle type. Of those fatal head-on collisions one of the most common is when a car makes a turn and another situation is when a motorcycle is trying to pass another car.
In 2012, 75% of two-vehicle motorcycle accidents involved the motorcycle crashing into the vehicle ahead of it and only 7% involved the motorcycle being hit in the rear. [25] That year half of all fatal accidents were two-vehicle crashes, [25] However, they also had the highest rate of collision with fixed object between passenger cars, light trucks, and heavy trucks; with a 22% of fatalities being single-vehicle crashes with a fixed object. [25] Of the two-vehicle crashes one nearly 40% involved the motorcycle hitting another vehicle turning left. [25]
A quarter of motorcycle fatalities are single-vehicle crashes into a fixed object. Other dangers to motorcycles include enhanced risks compared to other vehicles include potholes, uneven pavement, and unexpected objects in the road such as animals.
One of the difficulties with motorcycles is achieving optimum braking between front and rear wheels during a panic stop without losing control of the vehicle. [26] Enhanced operator training of how to achieve optimal braking of motorcycle may increase safety. [26] Two technical features that may help are Linked brakes where front and rear brakes are braked with single control and anti-lock brakes. [26]
Specific design elements of motorcycles that have been under scrutiny include the shape of the top gas tank or items placed on it which can contribute to urogenital or pelvic injuries in a crash. [27] In cases of a single-rear brake-light, its failure leaves other drivers without notification that the motorcycle is stopping. [27] Despite the focus on the head and helmet protection, it is possible for handlebars to castrate males in accident and damage done to the lower spine can leave men alive but paralyzed. [11] Motorcycle accidents are risk factor for injuries to testicles, delicate reproductive organs that are contained in thin skinned sac outside the body in males. [14] In collisions between testicles and gas tanks, testicle dislocation can occur where they are pushed into the lower abdomen. [14] Motorcycle accidents can cause genitourinary trauma which may result in pelvic pain and various other symptoms depending on the nature of the damage. [14]
Even moderate impacts in an accident may break the pelvis bone, which is one of the largest bones in the body and often bears the brunt of impacts with ground and objects during motorcycle crash or accident. [28] A broken pelvis can lead to mobility problems due to the bone's central location. [29]
Automotive and motorcycle accidents together are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, about 35% percent. [30]
Tire issues such as blow-outs can cause motorcycle accidents. [31]
When an accident does happen, there is a reported 80% chance of injury or death on a motorcycle in comparison to about 20% for passenger vehicles. [10]
Non-fatal injuries for motorcycle accidents include the danger of paralysis, such as quadriplegia. [32] Automotive and motorcycle accidents together are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, about 35% percent; this can include more minor injuries to the spinal cord up to more severe cases such paraplegic (2) or quad (4) plegic cases. [30] Paralysis injuries can cost 300 thousand to US$1 million to treat in the first year, and one to 4 million over the person's lifetime. [33] In some cases, people may survive their accident but have limbs amputated. [34]
In 2013, 4,735 pedestrians and 743 bicyclists were killed compared to 4,688 on motorcycles. [7] [35] (In the US, motorcycles includes both motorized tricycles and bicycles.) In 2013, a total of 32,479 were killed including motorcycle fatalities. [36] Compared to passenger vehicles, motorcycles had 28 times the number of fatalities as cars per mile driven in 2016. [5] 319 died on All terrain vehicles in 2013. [5]
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
The breakdown in deaths by type of bike in 2013 is as follows: Cruiser 1,281, Touring 578, Sport-touring 22, Sport 269, Supersport 945, off-road 42, other or unknown 889. [5] Breakdown for 2013 by engine size is 1,951 for under 1000 CC, 692 for 1000 to 1400, and 1,276 for over 1400 (approximately). [5] 1,832 were single-vehicle crashes and 2,549 were multi-vehicle crashes. [5]
327 died on ATVs in 2011 compared to 4,612–4,403 on motorcycles that year. [5] [37]
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In the US, the NHTSA defines the following vehicles as motorcycles: mopeds, two- or three-wheeled motorcycles, off-road motorcycles, scooters, mini bikes, and pocket bikes. [23]
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Source: FARS, ARS, "Unknown" removed for percentage computation. [38] |
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Automotive safety is the study and practice of automotive design, construction, equipment and regulation to minimize the occurrence and consequences of traffic collisions involving motor vehicles. Road traffic safety more broadly includes roadway design.
Road traffic safety refers to the methods and measures used to prevent road users from being killed or seriously injured. Typical road users include pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, vehicle passengers, and passengers of on-road public transport.
Fatalities that result from motor vehicle crashes are the second largest cause of accidental deaths in the United States.
A side collision is a vehicle crash where the side of one or more vehicles is impacted. These crashes typically occur at intersections, in parking lots, and when two vehicles pass on a multi-lane roadway.
Motorcycle safety is the study of the risks and dangers of motorcycling, and the approaches to mitigate that risk, focusing on motorcycle design, road design and traffic rules, rider training, and the cultural attitudes of motorcyclists and other road users.
Bicycle safety is the use of road traffic safety practices to reduce risk associated with cycling. Risk can be defined as the number of incidents occurring for a given amount of cycling. Some of this subject matter is hotly debated: for example, which types of cycling environment or cycling infrastructure is safest for cyclists. The merits of obeying the traffic laws and using bicycle lighting at night are less controversial. Wearing a bicycle helmet may reduce the chance of head injury in the event of a crash.
Motorcycling is the act of riding a motorcycle. For some people, motorcycling may be the only affordable form of individual motorized transportation, and small-displacement motorcycles are the most common motor vehicle in the most populous countries, including India, China and Indonesia.
Motorcycle training teaches motorcycle riders the skills for riding on public roads. It is the equivalent of driver's education for car drivers. Training beyond basic qualification and licensing is available to those whose duty includes motorcycle riding, such as police, and additional rider courses are offered for street riding refreshers, sport riding, off-road techniques, and developing competitive skills for the motorcycle racetrack.
Transportation safety in the United States encompasses safety of transportation in the United States, including automobile crashes, airplane crashes, rail crashes, and other mass transit incidents, although the most fatalities are generated by road incidents annually killing 32,479 people in 2011 to over 42,000 people in 2022. The number of deaths per passenger-mile on commercial airlines in the United States between 2000 and 2010 was about 0.2 deaths per 10 billion passenger-miles. For driving, the rate was 150 per 10 billion vehicle-miles: 750 times higher per mile than for flying in a commercial airplane. For a person who drives a million miles in a lifetime this amounts to a 1.5% chance of death.
Aggressive driving is defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the behaviour of an individual who "commits a combination of moving traffic offences so as to endanger other persons or property."
Traffic collision reconstruction is the process of investigating, analyzing, and drawing conclusions about the causes and events during a vehicle collision. Reconstructionists conduct collision analysis and reconstruction to identify the cause of a collision and contributing factors including the role of the driver(s), vehicle(s), roadway and general environment. Physics and engineering principles are the basis for these analyses and may involve the use of software for calculations and simulations. Collision reconstruction is sometimes used as the basis of expert witness testimony at trials. Collision reconstructions are performed in cases involving fatalities or personal injury. Results from collision reconstructions are also sometimes used for making roads and highways safer, as well as improving safety aspects of motor vehicle designs. Reconstructions are typically conducted by forensic engineers, specialized units in law enforcement agencies, or private consultants.
Lane splitting is riding a bicycle or motorcycle between lanes or rows of slow moving or stopped traffic moving in the same direction. It is sometimes called whitelining, or stripe-riding. This allows riders to save time, bypassing traffic congestion, and may also be safer than stopping behind stationary vehicles.
The Hurt Report, officially Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures, was a motorcycle safety study conducted in the United States, initiated in 1976 and published in 1981. The report is named after its primary author, Professor Harry Hurt.
Motorcycling advocacy is activism for motorcyclists seeking to establish and protect their rights, and to influence issues of interest to the motorcycling community. This includes lobbying organizations that work to influence laws, and groups or individuals who influence public attitudes.
A traffic collision, also known as a motor vehicle collision, or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other moving or stationary obstruction, such as a tree, pole or building. Traffic collisions often result in injury, disability, death, and property damage as well as financial costs to both society and the individuals involved. Road transport is statistically the most dangerous situation people deal with on a daily basis, but casualty figures from such incidents attract less media attention than other, less frequent types of tragedy. The commonly used term car accident is increasingly falling out of favor with many government departments and organizations, with the Associated Press style guide recommending caution before using the term. Some collisions are intentional vehicle-ramming attacks, staged crashes, vehicular homicide or vehicular suicide.
Worldwide, it was estimated that 1.25 million people were killed and many millions more were injured in motor vehicle collisions in 2013. This makes motor vehicle collisions the leading cause of death among young adults of 15–29 years of age and the ninth most frequent cause of death for all ages worldwide. In the United States, 40,100 people died and 2.8 million were injured in crashes in 2017, and around 2,000 children under 16 years old die every year.
Alcohol-related traffic crashes are defined by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as alcohol-related if either a driver or a non-motorist had a measurable or estimated BAC of 0.01 g/dl or above.