Todie's Wild Ride - Motorcycle Accident Statistics

The mission of this coin is to spread awareness of motorcycles out on the road. Every time you go out for a drive, make sure you notice motorcycles and give them the room they need. Don't follow too close. Always be on the look out for motorcycles.

2007 National Statistics
* In the United States, motorcycle accident deaths increased by 6.6%, accounting for almost one in eight motor vehicle deaths.
* There were 5,154 motorcycle fatalities nationwide, and 2007 was the 10th straight year of increase.
* Biker deaths hit an all-time low in 1997. Since that time, they have increased by 128%.
* In 2007, 49% of bikers killed in crashes were age 40 or over.
* 31% of motorcycle crash fatalities occurred in the under 30-year-old group in 2007.
* 20% of crash fatalities occurred in the 30- to 39-year-old group in 2007.
* 27% percent of motorcycle riders involved in fatal accidents had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0.08 percent.
* In 2007, 36% of all bikers involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared with 24% of passenger car drivers.
* 26% of bikers involved in fatal crashes were riding without a valid license in 2007.
* There are about 75% more motorcycles registered now than there were 10 years ago.

2007 Pennsylvania Statistics
* In Pennsylvania, 225 people died in motorcycle accidents in 2007.
* Of the 225 people who suffered fatal injuries, 210 were the driver of the motorcycle and 15 were the passenger.
* 74% of the fatalities occurred in the 30- to 45-year-old age group.
* 68% of the fatalities occurred in the 46- to 65-year-old age group.
* 55% of the fatalities occurred in the 21- to 29-year-old age group.
* 4,716 PA bikers were involved in motorcycle crashes.
* 227 Pennsylvania bikers reported receiving serious injuries in motorcycle accidents.
* 1,317 bikers were admitted to trauma centers in Pennsylvania.
* 657 bikers were admitted to trauma centers with a head injury.

2006 National Statistics
* Per registered vehicle, the fatality rate for bikers in 2006 was 5.5 times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants.
* The injury rate for motorcycle riders was 1.2 times the injury rate for passenger car occupants.
* In 2006, bikers accounted for 11% of total traffic fatalities.
* In 2006, 4,810 motorcyclists were killed - an increase of 5% from 2005.
* In 2006, 88,000 bikers were injured in accidents.
* In 2006, 37% of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal accidents were speeding, compared with 23 percent for passenger car drivers.
* Of all fatally injured motorcycle operators, 27% had blood alcohol concentrations of .08 g/dL or higher.
* Bikers killed at night were three times more likely to have blood alcohol concentrations of .08 g/dL or higher than those killed during the day.
* The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that for every 100 bikers killed while not wearing a helmet, 37 of their lives would have been saved if they were wearing a helmet.
* Helmet use has declined by 20% over five years, from 2001 to 2006.
* In Pennsylvania, there were 188 motorcycle-related fatalities in 2006.
* Motorcycles are more likely to be involved in a fatal accident with a fixed object than another vehicle

2005 National Statistics

* In 2005, 4,553 people died in motorcycle crashes, an increase of 13% from 4,028 in 2004.
* Motorcycle fatalities increased for eight consecutive years from 1997-2005.
* Bikers were 34 more times likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash in 2005, and 8 times more likely to be injured.
* From 1997 to 2005, motorcycle fatalities are estimated to have risen 115%. In 2005, 87,000 riders were injured in accidents, up 14.5% from 76,000 in 2004.
* Motorcycle riders accounted for 10.5% of total traffic fatalities, 13.8% of occupant fatalities, and 3.5% of all occupants injured.
* 47% of riders killed were 40 years of age and older.
* Fatalities of riders 30 years of age and under dropped to 32% in 2005 compared to 50% in 1995.
* Fatalities among riders 30 to 35 years of age also dropped to 21% from 26% in 1995.
* 27% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes had a BAC of .08 or higher.
* 41% of the 1,878 fatally injured bikers who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2005 had a BAC of .08 or higher.
* On weekend nights, 61% of riders who died in single-vehicle crashes had a BAC of .08 or higher.
* 34% of bikers involved in fatal crashes were speeding compared to 26% of passenger car drivers.
* 24% of riders involved in a fatal accident were riding without a valid license.
* 1,546 lives were saved by helmets in 2005. If all states required helmets, an additional 728 more lives would have been saved.
* Helmets are estimated to be 37% effective in preventing a fatal injury.