According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Report Number DOT HS 809 360, More than 38,000 motorcyclists have died in single vehicle motorcycle (Meaning, accidents that do not involve other motorcycles, cars, trucks, etc.) crashes between 1975 and 1999.
Motorcyclist fatalities in single vehicle crashes decreased each year from 1990 to 1996, reaching a historic low of 937 in 1996 and again in 1997.
In 1998 and again in 1999 the fatalities increased to 1,042 (11.2%) in 1998 and to 1,140 (9.4%) in 1999.
The overall increase in motorcyclist fatalities from 1997 to 1999 was 203 (21.7%) and account for about 45 percent of all motorcyclist fatalities.
In 1999, 41 percent of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding,
approximately twice the rate for drivers of passenger cars or light trucks;
In 1999, the percentage of alcohol involvement was more than 50 percent higher
for motorcyclists than for drivers of passenger vehicles;
Almost half (42 percent) of the motorcycle operators who died in single-vehicle
crashes in 1999 were intoxicated. Three- fifths (61 percent) of those killed in
single vehicle crashes on weekend nights were intoxicated;
Motorcycle operators killed in traffic crashes at night were nearly 4 times as
likely to be intoxicated as those killed during the day (43 percent and 12 percent
respectively);
Intoxication rates for drivers in fatal crashes in 1999 were highest for motorcycle
operators (28 percent), compared to drivers of passenger cars (17 percent), light
trucks (20 percent) and large trucks (1 percent);
Motorcycles are more likely to be involved in a fatal collision with a fixed object
than are other vehicles. In 1999, 27 percent of motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with a fixed object, compared to 17 percent for passenger cars,
11 percent for light trucks, and 3 percent for large trucks;
Nearly one out of six motorcycle operators (15 percent) involved in fatal crashes
in 1999 was operating the vehicle with an invalid motorcycle only license (license
suspended, revoked, expired, canceled or denied) at the time of the collision,
while fewer (11 percent) drivers of passenger vehicles in fatal crashes had an
invalid license;
Motorcycle operators involved in fatal traffic crashes were more than 1.5 times as
likely as passenger vehicle drivers to have a previous license suspension or
revocation (20 percent and 13 percent respectively);
There have been more 40 and over age motorcyclist fatalities in recent years; and,
In 1999 and 1998, more motorcyclists were killed on rural roads than urban roads,
reversing the trend from 1990 to 1997.
The study also showed More motorcyclist fatalities are occurring on rural roads;
High BAC levels are a major problem among motorcycle operators;
Half of the fatalities are related to negotiating a curve prior to the crash;
Over 80 percent of the fatalities occur off roadway;
Undivided roadways account for a majority of the fatalities;
Almost two thirds of the fatalities were associated with speeding as an operator
contributing factor in the crash;
Almost 60 percent of motorcyclist fatalities occur at night;
Collision with a fixed object is a significant factor in over half of the fatalities;
Braking and steering maneuvers possibly contribute for almost 25 percent of the
fatalities;
Helmet use among fatally injured motorcyclists below 50 percent;
and, Almost one third of the fatally injured operators did not have a proper license.
In 2005, there were 1,326 roadway fatalities compared with 1,285 in 2004. This represents an increase of 41deaths, which can be attributed to a 33 percent rise in motorcycle fatalities. There were 177 motorcycle-related fatalities in 2005 compared to 133 in 2004.
Contributing factors included:
* Alcohol or drug impairment – 45%
* No helmet – 73%
* About 50% were single-vehicle crashes in which no other vehicle was involved.
Other Stats and Information:
* Ohio is third in the nation for motorcycle riders.
* Motorcycle sales are growing at about 16 percent annually.
* The number of riders on the road will likely grow with increased gas prices.
* Motorcycle registrations have risen by 22 percent over the past five years.
* More women are riding. Over the past five years, licensed motorcycle riders have increased by 7 percent while women riders have increased by 28 percent.
* Nationally, statistics show an increase in older, affluent riders – both new riders and existing riders who haven’t ridden in years.
* About 30,000 people have a registered motorcycle, but do not have the appropriate license to operate it.
The following is a list of Motorcycle fatalities in 2008 nation wide.
Motorcycles 5,38710.7
Motorcycle 5,12910.2
Moped 810.2
Three Wheel Motorcycle or Moped 90.0
Off-Road Motorcycle (2-wheel) 610.1
Other Motorcycle/Minibike 910.2
Unknown Motorcycle160.0
In the state of Ohio Motorcycle related fatalities is 212.