The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) released 2015 data concerning motor vehicle crashes and fatalities. This data also included information on motorcyclist fatalities. The data comes from NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) as well as the National Automotive Sampling System and General Estimates System. The information provides an overall measure of highway safety, and aids in guiding policy solutions for federal and state lawmakers as well as provides a basis to evaluate the effectiveness of motor vehicle safety standards and highway safety programs.
In 2015, the nation saw an overall upward trend in vehicle crashes and fatalities across all segments of the population. Overall, there was a 7.2 percent increase which is the largest percentage increase in almost 50 years. Increases in fatalities were seen in all types of vehicles and roadway users including SUVs, vans, trucks, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists. Specifically, motorcyclists’ fatalities in 2015 had an increase of 8.3%, the largest since 2012.
There were other statistics, specific to motorcycles that are of note:
• While the proportion of people killed ‘inside the vehicle’ (which includes drivers and passengers of cars, trucks, etc.) has declined by roughly 15% over the last decade, the proportion of people killed ‘outside the vehicle’ (which includes motorcyclists, pedestrians, etc.) has increased by roughly 15% over the last ten years.
• There were increases in motorcyclist fatalities in every age group except those 19 and under which saw fewer fatalities in 2015 than in 2014.
• Data showed that crashes due to ‘human choice’ specifically distracted driving, increased by almost 9%.
• Interestingly, there was a half percentage point drop in motorcyclists who had been involved in fatal crashes due to alcohol-impairment. This may suggest that some of the recent motorcycle and alcohol awareness programs could be starting to take effect.
The NHTSA release offered some possible explanation for the overall upward trend in fatal crashes. Specifically, it linked economic trends like a recovering economy and lower gas prices as reasons more people were on the road, likely due to work travel and increased recreational travel. Warmer weather and milder winters which some of the nation saw in 2015 were also contributing factors.
Though no specific policy solutions were offered with the NHTSA release, it was noted that, “in States without universal helmet laws, 58 percent of motorcyclists killed in 2015 were not wearing helmets, as compared to 8% in States with universal helmet laws.” This is likely an indicator that NHTSA will continue its position in viewing universal helmet laws as a solution for highway safety. This emphasizes ‘safer crashing’ rather than crash prevention; of which many motorcyclists find fault.
The motorcyclist community is in the process of responding to the recently released data through reviewing and confirming the information and preparing to work with the federal agencies to ensure that policy solutions are achieved through the lens of crash avoidance and do not infringe upon their personal rights. These activities will complement the already existing efforts being achieved at the federal and state levels like emphasis on rider education, alcohol awareness programs, share the road initiatives, motorcyclist awareness programs and reduced distraction efforts.
“Though no specific policy solutions were offered with the NHTSA release, it was noted that, “in States without universal helmet laws, 58 percent of motorcyclists killed in 2015 were not wearing helmets, as compared to 8% in States with universal helmet laws.”
Does this mean in states with “Universal Helmet Laws” 8% of deaths were riders who were not wearing helmets in states that require helmets? If so, of course deaths without helmets would be a lower percentage as riders are required to wear helmets.
I’d be willing to bet if 4 wheel drivers were being pulled over and fined $500, for each instance of distracted driving, it would lower these statistics, more than any regulations placed on motorcycle riders. Just sayin.
I was away from motorcycling for a few years. Since my return, I have noticed how much worse cage drivers are. Distracted driving, and aggressive behavior is rampant.
I get annoyed with helmet data influencing policy when the data itself is so incomplete. First what we need is a breakdown of the percentage of motorcycle accidents that were fatal vs. non fatal for helmet less riders and then compare that to the same measure on helmeted riders. But that’s only part way there. Then we need to break down the helmeted riders into sub catagories of decent quality full face, 3/4, 1/2, and POS novelty helmets that the badasses who don’t care what anyone thinks but are coincidently so concerned about their appearance that they don’t want “mushroom head”. Pro-choice states like mine where riders are free to choose any of the above would be good places to collect this data. Then we could make some actual informed conclusions about the safety of helmets, but I think we already have a pretty good idea what such a study would find.
Increase in cellphones and in-car electronic interactive devices. Getting to where I don’t even enjoy riding all that much in town anymore.
It would be interesting to know how many of the ‘outside the vehicle’ incidents involved SUV’s ?
I quote:
Driven to distraction.
One has visions of some driver talking on a cell-phone, while listening to and adjusting the radio, turning to look back at a child, with a cup of coffee in the other hand. My personal dislike is soccer mums in big SUVs trying ineffectively to discipline rowdy children in the back seat while driving. Kids are the most effective distraction machines every invented. Its much better to stop the car and deal with them.
It is time to call it a F^C#!N9 SHOVEL. Two wheel riders do not kill four wheel drivers – it is the other way around and as such, the bigger the object of destruction and the more inept its operator, the more severe the consequences…
It is time that a special drivers’ license be required to drive a SUV and that such vehicles be limited in numbers on the roads.
Specifically distracted driving is cell phones in the hands of people.
Dont know about over there but I travel in my employment and 90% up of those I see texting or talking are Women.Their excuse is run the house hold and mind the children.
A new study out says that even blue tooth is a problem as the brain function you need to talk is also a part of your brain you need to drive safely and I agree.
All that and an aging population makes the roads less safe.
Over here where tourism is now our biggest earner in some provinces 20% of fatalities are caused by foreigners but the Govt will not do anything about it as it is Tax revenue.
I don’t wear a helmet. Not bragging, just a statement of fact. It’s true there are all kinds of factors that contribute to fatal motorcyclists deaths. We can question the statistics etc. but one thing is true. If you get into an accident while not wearing a helmet, you are ALWAYS more likely to die if you’re not wearing a helmet vs. those who are wearing a helmet. Proven fact! Google it and you will agree.
If they really started placing serious charges on those that injure or kill riders,
it would begin to deal with the problem ..
driver education needs to continue, but if you injure a biker
Assault with a deadly weapon (what else would you cal a car / truck / etc, aimed at you)
Kill a biker, It’s Murder pure & simple !!
It’ll never happen because “they” don;t give a rat’s ass about us !!!
I’m tired of statistics being bandied about with little context, they don’t really tell us anything.
For instance:
“in States without universal helmet laws, 58 percent of motorcyclists killed in 2015 were not wearing helmets, as compared to 8% in States with universal helmet laws.”
That means in states without helmet laws, 42% of motorcyclists killed were wearing helmets vs states that require helmets where a shocking 92% of those killed were wearing helmets. These things are killing us…
It would be better to see the number of deaths per motorcycle accident compared between helmet law states and non helmet law states, in other words if we have similar death rates between the states then the helmets aren’t helping much, but if there is a large difference in the value, it may me its time to strap one on.
I am ok with no helmet as long as you have enough insurance to fund your brain dead injury for the rest of your life, as well as the ER costs.
If you ever knew some one who suffered a bad head injury, you would think differently I am sure. As some one said the cage drivers today are deadly, so be a good boy scout, be prepared and protect yourself.
Driving a car used to be driving. Impose DUI penalties for distracted driving.
Just had a state senator in my district in michigan get killed by a driver of a pickup truck turning left in front of him. He was wearing a helmet. Absolutely it is getting more dangerous for us two wheelers out there on the highways. Black Max has the right idea. With more cagers getting killed in accidents maybe they should be wearing helmets.
I am sure they will break this out in more detail later, hopefully anyway, since this data is not enough to draw a real conclusion as to why the increase in fatalities. I am seeing far to many right of way violations by distracted drivers today, and combine those with lane intrusions and rear enders it may shed light on the increase in percentages. Would like see more detail on the causes of accidents to get a better idea on what might be happening.
I’m tired of this being claimed as a monetary issues to be solved by insurance or other means. Over and over when various groups were trying to implement helmet laws in states without them, they were challenged to provide financial savings of passing a helmet law and could never do so. Short and sweet, it is often cheaper for an insurance company to pay off on a wrongful death than a vegetable state for the next 10 15 or 20 years. I welcome any honest data, but I would hope we could be agenda free in how it is used.
Let those who ride decide. Before you get on you scoot and you look to were you are going to ride , that decided that your going to wear a helmet maybe not ? Lot’s of you bro’s made it clear an SUV is more dangerous than a hand gun. Law or no law do you want to wipe your owen a$& or have someone else do it for you because you were hit. We all hate to wear conduims none of us like it. Getting a penis full of pimples is no way to live out your life.
Hobo