Motorcyclist Fatalities, Injuries Decline In 2013

The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration says the number of motorcyclists killed in traffic
crashes declined by 6.4 percent from 2012 to 2013, and the number
injured dropped 5.4 percent, the American Motorcyclist Association
reports.
In 2013, 4,668 motorcyclist fatalities were reported, down 318 from
the 4,986 in 2012. Similarly, 88,000 "occupants" were reported to
have been injured in motorcycle crashes in 2013, down from 93,000
the year before.
The NHTSA also reported that motor vehicle crash fatalities overall
decreased by 3.1 percent in 2013 and injuries declined 2.1
percent.
"While one motorcycle fatality is one too many, we are pleased to
see this number decline," said Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO.
"It also is good that motorcycle injuries and fatalities are
falling at a greater rate than for motor vehicles overall. And we
sincerely hope this trend continues."
One factor in the lower incidence of
motorcycle crash fatalities was an 8.3 percent decrease in the
number of motorcycle crashes in which the rider was impaired by
alcohol, the NHTSA reported.
The NHTSA report also noted that there were 190 fewer fatalities in
2013 among motorcyclists aged 50 to 69 years. That decline
represented 60 percent of the total decrease in motorcyclist
fatalities.
"Motorcyclist safety is of utmost importance," Dingman said. "That
is why the AMA is participating in the Motorcycle Crash Causation
Study underway at Oklahoma State University. We hope that the
information from this extensive examination of motorcycle crashes
will lead to better strategies for making our roads safer for
motorcyclists."
The
Motorcycle Crash Causation Study is the first comprehensive
examination since the 1981 Hurt Report on the factors contributing
to motorcycle crashes in the United States.
When the project is completed in 2016, it
will provide a large and unique data set derived from actual
motorcycle crashes and riders with similar risk characteristics,
with a focus on the unique circumstances that produce motorcycle
crashes.
The Motorcycle Crash Causation Study will provide up-to-date
information on the types of dangers modern motorcyclists face.
The study is important, because it will provide new insights into
which factors affect motorcyclist safety and how.
AMA members contributed money to help pay for the study, and the
AMA encouraged states to redirect unused federal funds to the
effort. Supporting the study are the Federal Highway
Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
and the states of Iowa, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas
and Wisconsin.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.