Safe Riding

Traffic Safety Facts 1992 - Motorcycles

In 1992, 2,394 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes in the United States—15 percent fewer than the 2,806 motorcyclist fatalities reported in 1991. This decrease in motorcyclist fatalities from 1991 to 1992 was larger than for any other type of motor vehicle occupant. More than 94,000 motorcyclists have died in traffic crashes since the enactment of the Highway Safety and National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966. For motorcyclists, the fatality rate per registered vehicle decreased more than 50 percent since 1966, and the fatality rate per vehicle mile traveled declined by nearly two-thirds.

Table 1.Motorcyclist Fatalities and Fatality Rates, 1966-1992

* Rate per 10,000 registered vehicles.
** Rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
NA = not available.
Year	Fatalities	Registered Vehicles	Fatality Rate *	Vehicle Miles Traveled (millions)	Fatality Rate **
1966	2,230	1,753,178	12.7	2,235	99.8
1967	2,170	1,953,022	11.1	2,258	96.1
1968	1,940	2,089,060	9.3	2,179	89.0
1969	1,870	2,315,708	8.1	2,371	78.9
1970	2,280	2,824,098	8.1	2,979	76.5
1971	2,650	3,343,695	7.9	3,607	73.5
1972	3,030	3,759,879	8.1	4,331	70.0
1973	3,230	4,371,011	7.4	5,194	62.2
1974	3,370	4,966,399	6.8	5,445	61.9
1975	3,189	4,964,070	6.4	5,629	56.7
1976	3,312	4,933,332	6.7	6,003	55.2
1977	4,104	4,933,256	8.3	6,349	64.6
1978	4,577	4,867,864	9.4	7,158	63.9
1979	4,893	5,422,132	9.0	8,637	56.7
1980	5,144	5,693,940	9.0	10,214	50.4
1981	4,906	5,831,132	8.4	10,690	45.9
1982	4,453	5,753,858	7.7	9,910	44.9
1983	4,265	5,585,112	7.6	8,760	48.7
1984	4,608	5,479,822	8.4	8,784	52.5
1985	4,564	5,444,404	8.4	9,086	50.2
1986	4,566	5,262,322	8.7	9,397	48.6
1987	4,036	4,917,131	8.2	9,506	42.5
1988	3,662	4,584,284	8.0	10,024	36.5
1989	3,141	4,433,915	7.1	10,371	30.3
1990	3,244	4,259,462	7.6	9,557	33.9
1991	2,806	4,177,037	6.7	9,178	30.6
1992	2,394	4,081,000	5.9	NA	NA

Note:: 1992 Registered Vehicles are estimates.
Sources:: Vehicle miles traveled and registered vehicles Federal Highway Administration. Traffic deaths, 1966-1974; National Center for Health Statistics, Department of Health and Human Services, and state accident summaries (adjusted to 30-day traffic deaths by NHTSA).; Traffic deaths, 1975-1992
Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS), NHTSA.

"Per vehicle mile, motorcyclists are 20 times as likely to die in a traffic crash as passenger car occupants."	Motorcycles make up 2 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States and account for only 0.5 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Motorcyclists were involved in only 1 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes in 1992, but they accounted for 7 percent of all occupant fatalities and 6 percent of total traffic fatalities. Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 20 times as likely to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash as passenger car occupants. Per registered vehicle, the fatality rate for motorcyclists is 4 times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants. Half of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes in 1992 collided with another motor vehicle in transport. In two-vehicle crashes, 73 percent of the motorcycles involved were impacted in the front. Only 5 percent were struck in the rear. Motorcycles are more likely to be involved in a fatal collision with a fixed object than are other vehicles. In 1992, 31 percent of the reported fatal crashes involving motorcycles were fixed object crashes, compared to 17 percent for passenger cars, 11 percent for light trucks, and 4 percent for large trucks. In 1992, there were 1,354 two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a motorcycle and another vehicle. In 30 percent (410) of these crashes the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the vehicle. Both vehicles were going straight in 433 crashes (32 percent). For 76 percent of the motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes in 1992, police reported one or more errors or other factors related to the operator's behavior. The factor most often noted in both single-vehicle and multiple-vehicle crashes was Adriving too fast for conditions or exceeding the speed limit. Almost half (44 percent) of all motorcyclist fatalities in 1992 resulted from crashes in seven states: 325 in California, 176 in Florida, 130 in Texas, 119 in New York, 112 in Ohio, 104 in Illinois, and 90 in Pennsylvania. Licensing Nearly one out of four motorcycle operators (23 percent) involved in a fatal crash in 1992 was operating the vehicle with an invalid license at the time of the collision. Drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes were only half as likely to be operating with an invalid license (11 percent). Motorcycle operators involved in fatal traffic crashes were twice as likely as passenger vehicle drivers to have a previous license suspension or revocation (24 percent and 12 percent, respectively). Almost 9 percent of the motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes in 1992 had at least one previous conviction for driving while intoxicated on their driver records, compared with 4 percent of passenger car drivers. Figure 1.Previous Driving Records of Drivers Involved in Fatal Traffic Crashes, by Type of Vehicle, 1992

"Per vehicle mile, motorcyclists are 20 times as likely to die in a traffic crash as passenger car occupants."

Motorcycles make up 2 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States and account for only 0.5 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Motorcyclists were involved in only 1 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes in 1992, but they accounted for 7 percent of all occupant fatalities and 6 percent of total traffic fatalities.

Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 20 times as likely to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash as passenger car occupants.

Per registered vehicle, the fatality rate for motorcyclists is 4 times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants.

Half of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes in 1992 collided with another motor vehicle in transport. In two-vehicle crashes, 73 percent of the motorcycles involved were impacted in the front. Only 5 percent were struck in the rear.

Motorcycles are more likely to be involved in a fatal collision with a fixed object than are other vehicles. In 1992, 31 percent of the reported fatal crashes involving motorcycles were fixed object crashes, compared to 17 percent for passenger cars, 11 percent for light trucks, and 4 percent for large trucks.

In 1992, there were 1,354 two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a motorcycle and another vehicle. In 30 percent (410) of these crashes the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the vehicle. Both vehicles were going straight in 433 crashes (32 percent).

For 76 percent of the motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes in 1992, police reported one or more errors or other factors related to the operator's behavior. The factor most often noted in both single-vehicle and multiple-vehicle crashes was Adriving too fast for conditions or exceeding the speed limit.

Almost half (44 percent) of all motorcyclist fatalities in 1992 resulted from crashes in seven states: 325 in California, 176 in Florida, 130 in Texas, 119 in New York, 112 in Ohio, 104 in Illinois, and 90 in Pennsylvania.

Licensing

Nearly one out of four motorcycle operators (23 percent) involved in a fatal crash in 1992 was operating the vehicle with an invalid license at the time of the collision. Drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes were only half as likely to be operating with an invalid license (11 percent).

Motorcycle operators involved in fatal traffic crashes were twice as likely as passenger vehicle drivers to have a previous license suspension or revocation (24 percent and 12 percent, respectively).

Almost 9 percent of the motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes in 1992 had at least one previous conviction for driving while intoxicated on their driver records, compared with 4 percent of passenger car drivers.

Figure 1.Previous Driving Records of Drivers Involved in Fatal Traffic Crashes, by Type of Vehicle, 1992

"Motorcyclists in fatal crashes were twice as likely as passenger car drivers to have a previous license suspension."	Alcohol Motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes in 1992 had higher intoxication rates, with blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of 0.10 grams per deciliter (g/dl) or greater, than any other type of motor vehicle driver. Intoxication rates for vehicle operators involved in fatal crashes were 35.6 percent for motorcycles, 25.5 percent for light trucks, 21.7 percent for passenger cars, and 1.4 percent for large trucks. In 1992, 36.9 percent of all fatally injured motorcycle operators were intoxicated (BAC 0.10 g/dl or greater). An additional 12.0 percent had lower alcohol levels (BAC 0.01 to 0.09 g/dl). The intoxication rate was highest for fatally injured operators between 30 and 34 years old (52.9 percent) and somewhat lower for ages 35 to 39 (46.6 percent) and 25 to 29 (44.1 percent). More than half (52.4 percent) of the 1,016 motorcycle operators who died in single-vehicle crashes in 1992 were intoxicated. More than two-thirds (67.7 percent) of those killed on weekend nights were intoxicated. Motorcycle operators killed in traffic crashes at night were nearly 32 times as likely to be intoxicated as those killed during the day (51.4 percent and 15.4 percent, respectively). The reported helmet use rate for intoxicated motorcycle operators killed in traffic crashes was 50 percent, compared with 64 percent for those who were sober. Figure 2.Intoxication Rates for Motorcycle Operators Killed in Traffic Crashes, by Time of Day, 1992

"Motorcyclists in fatal crashes were twice as likely as passenger car drivers to have a previous license suspension."

Alcohol

Motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes in 1992 had higher intoxication rates, with blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of 0.10 grams per deciliter (g/dl) or greater, than any other type of motor vehicle driver. Intoxication rates for vehicle operators involved in fatal crashes were 35.6 percent for motorcycles, 25.5 percent for light trucks, 21.7 percent for passenger cars, and 1.4 percent for large trucks.

In 1992, 36.9 percent of all fatally injured motorcycle operators were intoxicated (BAC 0.10 g/dl or greater). An additional 12.0 percent had lower alcohol levels (BAC 0.01 to 0.09 g/dl). The intoxication rate was highest for fatally injured operators between 30 and 34 years old (52.9 percent) and somewhat lower for ages 35 to 39 (46.6 percent) and 25 to 29 (44.1 percent).

More than half (52.4 percent) of the 1,016 motorcycle operators who died in single-vehicle crashes in 1992 were intoxicated. More than two-thirds (67.7 percent) of those killed on weekend nights were intoxicated.

Motorcycle operators killed in traffic crashes at night were nearly 32 times as likely to be intoxicated as those killed during the day (51.4 percent and 15.4 percent, respectively).

The reported helmet use rate for intoxicated motorcycle operators killed in traffic crashes was 50 percent, compared with 64 percent for those who were sober.

Figure 2.Intoxication Rates for Motorcycle Operators Killed in Traffic Crashes, by Time of Day, 1992

"More than half of the motorcycle operators who died in single-vehicle crashes in 1992 were intoxicated"	Helmets NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 559 motorcyclists in 1992. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 297 lives could have been saved. Helmets are estimated to be 29 percent effective in preventing motorcyclist fatalities. In NHTSA's latest survey (November 1991), helmet use was reported to be essentially 100 percent at sites with helmet use laws governing all motorcycle riders, as compared to 34 to 54 percent at sites with no helmet use laws or laws limited to minors. Reported helmet use rates for fatally injured motorcyclists in 1992 were 59 percent for operators and 48 percent for passengers, compared with 47 percent and 40 percent, respectively, in 1991.

"More than half of the motorcycle operators who died in single-vehicle crashes in 1992 were intoxicated"

Helmets

NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 559 motorcyclists in 1992. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 297 lives could have been saved.

Helmets are estimated to be 29 percent effective in preventing motorcyclist fatalities.

In NHTSA's latest survey (November 1991), helmet use was reported to be essentially 100 percent at sites with helmet use laws governing all motorcycle riders, as compared to 34 to 54 percent at sites with no helmet use laws or laws limited to minors.

Reported helmet use rates for fatally injured motorcyclists in 1992 were 59 percent for operators and 48 percent for passengers, compared with 47 percent and 40 percent, respectively, in 1991.

	For more information:
	Information on motorcycle traffic fatalities is available from the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NRD-31, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590. Telephone inquiries should be addressed to Ms. Louann Hall at (202) 366-4198. FAX messages should be sent to (202) 366-7078. To report a safety-related problem or to inquire about motor vehicle safety information, contact the Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
	"Serving the Highway Safety Community by the Numbers"

Table 2. Motorcyclist Fatalities and Fatality Rates by State, 1992

State	Total Traffic Fatalities	Registered Vehicles (thousands)	Motorcyclist Fatalities	Percent of Total	Motorcyclist Fatalities per 10,000 Registered Vehicles
Alabama^a	1,031	38	34	3.3	8.9
Alaska^b	108	10	7	6.5	7.0
Arizona^b	809	81	64	7.9	7.9
Arkansas^a	588	13	22	3.7	16.9
California^a	4,189	595	325	7.8	5.5
Colorado^b	522	85	41	7.9	4.8
Connecticut^c	296	50	38	12.8	7.6
Delaware^d	140	10	14	10.0	14.0
District of Columbia^a	50	2	1	2.0	5.0
Florida^a	2,427	195	176	7.3	9.0
Georgia^a	1,315	80	56	4.3	7.0
Hawaii^b	129	21	16	12.4	7.6
Idaho^b	243	30	17	7.0	5.7
Illinois^c	1,384	188	104	7.5	5.5
Indiana^b	901	97	69	7.7	7.1
Iowa^c	437	158	29	6.6	1.8
Kansas^b	387	53	28	7.2	5.3
Kentucky^a	815	33	37	4.5	11.2
Louisiana^a	883	34	36	4.1	10.6
Maine^e	214	36	20	9.3	5.6
Maryland^a	659	54	56	8.5	10.4
Massachusetts^a	485	52	33	6.8	6.3
Michigan^a	1,298	157	57	4.4	3.6
Minnesota^b	581	109	28	4.8	2.6
Mississippi^a	766	27	15	2.0	5.6
Missouri^a	985	59	44	4.5	7.5
Montana^b	192	20	13	6.8	6.5
Nebraska^a	269	21	9	3.3	4.3
Nevada^a	251	20	19	7.6	9.5
New Hampshire^b	122	36	10	8.2	2.8
New Jersey^a	764	85	45	5.9	5.3
New Mexico^b	460	31	32	7.0	10.3
New York^a	1,814	197	119	6.6	6.0
North Carolina^a	1,265	60	68	5.4	11.3
North Dakota^b	88	18	5	5.7	2.8
Ohio^f	1,439	240	112	7.8	4.7
Oklahoma^b	613	58	30	4.9	5.2
Oregon^a	467	60	25	5.4	4.2
Pennsylvania^a	1,545	161	90	5.8	5.6
Rhode Island^g	79	23	11	13.9	4.8
South Carolina^b	807	31	57	7.1	18.4
South Dakota^b	161	23	11	6.8	4.8
Tennessee^a	1,153	72	69	6.0	9.6
Texas^a	3,059	190	130	4.2	6.8
Utah^b	269	23	17	6.3	7.4
Vermont^a	96	19	6	6.3	3.2
Virginia^a	839	61	38	4.5	6.2
Washington^a	651	118	47	7.2	4.0
West Virginia^a	420	17	19	4.5	11.2
Wisconsin^b	652	214	40	6.1	1.9
Wyoming^b	118	16	5	4.2	3.1
U.S. Total	39,235	4,081	2,394	6.1	5.9
Puerto Rico	571	NA	27	4.7	NA

Status of state motorcycle helmet use requirements (as of July 1992):

^aRequired for all riders.
^bRequired for riders under 18 years old.
^cNo helmet use requirement.
^dRequired for riders under 19 years old; helmets must be in possession of other riders, but use is not required.
^eRequired for riders under 15 years old, novices (first-year operators), and holders of learner's permits.
^fRequired for riders under 18 years old and novices.
^gRequired for riders under 21 years old and novices.
Note: Totals may not equal sum of components due to independent rounding. Sources: FatalitiesCFatal Accident Reporting System, NHTSA. Registered vehicles--CFHWA.

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