Motorcycle Accidents

According to reports from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Association and other agencies, motorcycle deaths are on the rise, while automobile fatalities are decreasing. In 2007, more than 100,000 riders were injured and more than 5,000 were killed.

Motorcycle fatalities are recognized as the greatest traffic safety challenges by the Department of Transportation. The number of fatalities due to motorcycle accidents is significantly disproportionate - motorcycles represent 2.5% of all registered vehicles but 11.3% of traffic deaths.

This may be due to a number of reasons – many motorists are choosing motorcycles over autos due to high gas prices, car safety is improving every year and there are an increasing number of riders on the road. Motorcyclists face a number of threats to their safety and that of other drivers. They can lessen these threats through a number of methods, including carefully scanning traffic ahead of them as well as motorists next to and behind them. They may not be able to react to traffic changes quickly due to their vulnerability so they must be extremely aware of what is happening ahead of them. Further, research has shown that 51% of drivers do not wear helmets. This is a simple way to stay within the limits of the law and reduce chances of injury in the case of an accident.

Many riders and also younger and less experienced, which makes them more likely to be involved in accidents. They may take unnecessary risks or ride at unsafe speeds. Research has suggested that motorcyclists are more than 25 times more likely to die in the case of a collision than drivers and passengers of autos, SUVs and motorcycles. It is clear how dangerous riding a motorcycle can be and how imperative it is that motorcyclists take every precaution possible.