What percentage of traffic fatalities are motorcyclists?

On Behalf of | May 2, 2022 | Vehicle Accidents |

The level of fatalities for motorcycle riders has not decreased in the past few years. Statistics show that the number of deaths for motorcyclists in New York accidents has sadly increased. An extra level of vigilance will be needed to bring this trend down.

The number of fatalities is disproportionately high

The total number of deaths that come about as a result of motorcycle accidents has always been very high. You should note that motorcycles make up only 3% of all vehicles that are registered in the country. They also make up a mere 0.6% of all of the miles that are traveled by vehicles. On paper, these are not significant stats.

However, motorcycles more than make up for these tiny percentages when it comes to the total number of fatalities recorded on an annual basis. Motorcycle riders make up 14% of all recorded fatalities that are due to traffic accidents. This includes 18% of occupant fatalities and 4% of occupant injuries.

Fatalities have increased

A quick glance at the number of fatalities attributed to motorcycle accidents ought to convince you of the danger. Fatal accidents have actually been on the increase from 2019 forward. The number of fatalities recorded has risen by over 11%. The rate per 100 million miles traveled also increased by 23%.

Over a period of the last 10 years, deaths from motorcycle accidents have increased by an average of over 20%. The number of motorcycle accident fatalities is now listed as 5,579 per year. The total non-fatal injury rate has increased 10%. All these statistics indicate the need for both motorcyclists and vehicle drivers to exercise more caution.